Smuggler's boat capsizes in Mediterranean Sea off Libya; 90 Pakistani suspected dead

At least 90 people mostly Pakistani citizens are feared drowned after a boat carrying illegal migrants to Europe capsized off Libya’s coast on Friday morning, United Nations’ migration agency said.

International Organisation for Migration (IOM) spokeswoman Olivia Headon said, “Ten bodies were recovered at Libyan coast near Zuwara town.”

She added that eight bodies recovered are believed to be a Pakistani and two are Libyans.

“Two survivors swam to the shore, while one person was saved by a fishing boat,” added Headon.

According to Headon, Pakistani nationals add a large share to the number of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Italy and Europe via Libya. Pakistani migrants made up 13th largest nationality to migrate crossing and in January it is the third-largest.

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IOM says,  “Around 250 people died while the crossing the Mediterranean Sea in January.”