Islamabad following reports of Pakistanis’ presence in sunken migrants’ boat: FO

The Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson said that they are closely following the reports about the possible presence of Pakistanis in the vessel that has capsized off the coast of Italy.

The FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch added, “The Embassy of Pakistan in Rome is in the process of ascertaining facts from the Italian authorities.”

We are closely following the reports about possible presence of Pakistanis in the vessel that has capsized off the coast of Italy. The Embassy of Pakistan in Rome is in the process of ascertaining facts from the Italian authorities.

— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) February 26, 2023

Boat wreck off Italy

At least 59 migrants, including 11 children and a newborn baby, died after their overloaded boat sank early Sunday in stormy seas off Italy’s southern Calabria region, officials said.

READ: AROUND 60 MIGRANTS DIE IN BOAT WRECK OFF ITALY

“As of a few minutes ago, the number of confirmed victims was 59,” Vincenzo Voce, mayor of the coastal city of Crotone, told TV channel Sky TG-24 on Sunday afternoon.

Crotone’s rescue centre said 12 of the 59 victims were children, including a newborn, and 33 were women, according to AGI news agency.

Italian coastguards said the overloaded vessel broke up in violent waves off Crotone, with one officer reporting that a suspected people smuggler had been arrested by the security forces.