ISLAMABAD:
Repatriation of bodies of Pakistani victims of Greek ship tragedy has begun; So far only five of the deceased have been identified and approximately 35 remain missing.
The bodies of the five identified Pakistani victims are being repatriated to the country in phases.
Sources revealed that Muhammad Abid’s body arrived at Sialkot airport on Tuesday at 2 pm on flight QR0626. Similarly, the remains of Haji Ahmad arrived earlier at Sialkot airport on the same flight.
Another deceased person identified as Rehman Ali’s body is scheduled to arrive at Sialkot airport on January 1, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., also on flight QR0626.
Meanwhile, the bodies of Irfan Arshad and Muhammad Abdullah are expected to arrive at Lahore airport on January 2, 2025 at 1:10 p.m. on flight QR0620. Sources further revealed that all the bodies are being transported in stages from Athens airport in Greece to Doha, Qatar, and then to various airports in Pakistan.
Upon arrival, the remains will be handed over to the grieving families, who will take them to their places of origin for burial.
A boat carrying more than 84 migrants, including Pakistanis, Egyptians and Sudanese (more than double its capacity) was attempting to cross international borders into Europe when it capsized in the open sea near Greece in the second week of December.
The tragedy claimed the lives of five people, while 47 were rescued. However, the whereabouts of approximately 35 Pakistanis remain unaccounted for.
