Pakistan mission in Greece confirms death of five nationals in boat tragedy

Pakistan's diplomatic mission in Greece confirmed on Thursday that five Pakistani nationals were among the victims of a migrant boat disaster near the Greek island of Gavdos last week.

However, the mission indicated that it possesses “no concrete information” regarding the number of its citizens who remain unaccounted for, as reported by Arab News.

A local news channel had previously asserted that at least 40 Pakistanis lost their lives in this tragic incident, referencing information from the embassy in Athens.

An official from the Pakistan mission in Greece stated, “Currently, we have confirmed the deaths of five Pakistanis and have information on another 47 who have been rescued. We do not have any concrete information regarding missing individuals, and this is the most up-to-date information available.”

He further mentioned, “We are in communication with the authorities who have concluded their specialized search operation,” adding that regular patrols would persist, and Greek authorities would keep the mission updated on any new developments.

In response to the report from the local media outlet, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that the government had already provided the official death toll and had no additional details to share.

"We cannot comment on the statements or claims regarding the number of Pakistanis on board until we receive evidence from the investigation," she remarked. "It is challenging to verify the reported figures, as there was no official record of their travel."