Morocco boat tragedy: FIA investigates role of 20 officials

GUJRANWALA: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has initiated investigations against 20 of its officials in connection with the recent Morocco boat tragedy, a spokesperson for the agency confirmed. 

On Thursday, migrant rights group Walking Borders said that as many as 44 Pakistani migrants lost their lives while trying to make the crossing from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands.

Moroccan authorities rescued 36 people on Wednesday from a boat that had left Mauritania on Jan 2 with 86 migrants, including 66 Pakistanis, on board, the group said.

At least 44 Pakistanis feared dead in Spain boat wreck

Walking Borders CEO Helena Maleno said on X that 44 of those presumed to have drowned were from Pakistan. “They spent 13 days of anguish on the crossing without anyone coming to rescue them.”

According to the FIA spokesperson, some 20 officials of the agency allegedly facilitated the clearance of the Morocco boat tragedy victims at various airports.

Eight officials from Faisalabad Airport, six from Karachi Airport, and six from Lahore Airport are under investigation for their suspected involvement, he added.

Last week, FIA found in an inquiry report submitted to the prime minister that 61 officials of the agency were found involved in human trafficking. Of these accomplices of the human traffickers, 38 were immediately dismissed from their services.

More than 60 FIA officials involved in human trafficking, 38 face immediate dismissal

The inquiry was conducted after a tragic incident off the coast of southern Greek, where a boat capsized on June 14, 2023, leading to the deaths of over 286 Pakistanis.

Boat with mostly Pakistanis capsizes near Greek island; 5 die, many missing

The inquiry raised serious questions about the role of FIA immigration officials deputed at different exit points across various cities.

FIA has come to learn that after the Morocco boat tragedy that Mauritania has become a significant hub for human smuggling, following Turkiye and Libya. Smuggling networks reportedly established safe houses in Mauritania in March 2024 and began operations in June. 

The spokesperson added that victims were flown from Pakistan to Senegal before being transported overland to Mauritania. From there, they were sent by sea to Morocco, with Spain’s islands being the ultimate destination.

He said that a key figure from the Greek boat tragedy has also been traced to Mauritania.

Human traffickers involved in Greece boat accident arrested

Following the Greek incident, several smugglers moved their operations from Libya to Mauritania, where many Pakistanis remain stranded in safe houses. These individuals reportedly aim to reach Spain through the Morocco route. 

Authorities have intensified efforts to dismantle these networks and bring the perpetrators to justice. In this regards, a four-member investigation team departed for Morocco to probe the Morocco boat tragedy.

The team, formed on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is led by Additional Secretary Interior Salman Chaudhry.

Boat Tragedy: Investigation team heads to Morocco

Other members include Additional Director FIA Punjab North, Manir Masood, along with representatives from the Foreign Office and Intelligence Bureau (IB).

During their three-to-four-day visit, the team will meet Pakistani survivors of the incident and investigate allegations of violence and murder against Pakistani citizens.

Officials stated that survivor testimonies would play a crucial role in identifying the culprits.