Phalia: Punjab News desk – The town of Phalia is gripped by sorrow and anxiety following further details emerging about the tragic migrant boat accident off the Libyan coast on April 12th, 2025, where a local young man from Shafqat Abad, Asif, is feared to be among the casualties.
New information indicates that the ill-fated boat was carrying approximately 39 migrants with the aim of reaching Italy, departing from the Libyan city of Sirte. The vessel reportedly encountered distress and capsized the following day, April 13th, in the vicinity of the Harawa coast, close to Sirte in eastern Libya.
The Libyan Coast Guard has been conducting rescue operations and has, to date, recovered 11 bodies from the sea. The Pakistani Embassy in Libya has sadly confirmed that four of these recovered bodies have been identified as Pakistani nationals.
The identified Pakistani victims are:
* Zahid Mahmood, son of Liaqat Ali, from Gujranwala.
* Sameer Ali, son of Raja Abdul Qadeer, from Mandi Bahauddin.
* Syed Ali Hussain, son of Shafqat-ul-Hassanain, from Mandi Bahauddin.
* Asif Ali, son of Nazar Muhammad, from Mandi Bahauddin.
While one of the identified victims shares the name “Asif Ali,” further official confirmation is awaited to determine if this is indeed Asif from Phalia. However, given that Asif from Phalia had been in Libya for three years seeking a better life and his family has had no contact with him since April 11th, their fears are understandably high.
Two other recovered bodies remain unidentified, and five have been confirmed as Egyptian nationals. There are grave concerns that the death toll could rise as search operations continue in the area.
Asif’s wife reiterated her desperate plea to the Pakistani government to expedite the process of recovering his body, if he is indeed among the deceased, and to ensure its swift return to Pakistan. The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the perilous journeys undertaken by individuals seeking refuge or better opportunities through irregular migration routes. The Pakistani Embassy in Libya has assured that they are actively engaged with the local Libyan authorities to obtain more information and provide necessary assistance in this deeply unfortunate situation.
