335 Pakistanis die in migrant boat accidents over four years, FIA data reveals
A total of 335 Pakistanis have lost their lives in migrant boat accidents over the past four years while trying to reach Europe through illegal migration routes, according to official data from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
The figures highlight the deadly risks faced by people who rely on human smuggling networks in an attempt to enter Europe through the Mediterranean Sea.
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According to FIA records, seven major boat accidents involving Pakistani migrants have been reported since June 2023. The deadliest incident occurred in June 2023, when a boat heading to Greece capsized with 226 Pakistanis on board. Only 19 survived, while 207 lost their lives.
Another boat travelling to Greece met with an accident in December 2024. It was carrying 69 Pakistanis, of whom 25 died and 44 were rescued.
In January 2025, a migrant boat carrying 70 Pakistanis sank near Morocco, killing 44 people. A month later, in February 2025, another boat accident off the coast of Libya claimed the lives of 23 Pakistanis.
FIA documents also show that three more migrant boat accidents occurred near Libya in April 2025, October 2025 and April 2026. Together, those incidents resulted in the deaths of more than 30 Pakistanis.
Major migrant boat accidents involving Pakistanis
| Date | Location / Route | Pakistanis on Board | Deaths | Survivors / Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2023 | Greece route | 226 | 207 | 19 survived |
| December 2024 | Greece route | 69 | 25 | 44 rescued |
| January 2025 | Near Morocco | 70 | 44 | Remaining rescued |
| February 2025 | Off Libya | Not disclosed | 23 | Not disclosed |
| April 2025 | Off Libya | Not disclosed | Part of 30+ deaths | Not disclosed |
| October 2025 | Off Libya | Not disclosed | Part of 30+ deaths | Not disclosed |
| April 2026 | Off Libya | Not disclosed | Part of 30+ deaths | Not disclosed |
Following the repeated tragedies, the government strengthened its efforts against human smuggling by introducing stricter passenger screening and offloading measures at airports.
According to the FIA, these measures have led to a sharp decline in illegal migration attempts. During January and February 2026, only 440 Pakistanis attempted to migrate illegally to Europe, compared with 1,224 during the same period in 2025.
Illegal migration attempts
| Period | Illegal Migration Attempts |
|---|---|
| January–February 2025 | 1,224 |
| January–February 2026 | 440 |
| Change | 64% decrease |
The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has also confirmed the significant drop in illegal migration attempts by Pakistani nationals, reflecting the impact of the government’s crackdown on human smuggling networks.
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