A migrant boat carrying 105 people, including Pakistanis, capsize off the Libyan Coast while travelling illegally from Libya to Italy.
According to media reports, 105 migrants left Libya on April 4 for Italy but met an accident at sea. So far, 30 people have survived and reached a refugee camp in Italy. Most of them belong to Afghanistan.
Two bodies have been recovered, while 32 people were rescued by passing ships and shifted to Lampedusa. More than 70 individuals are still missing.
20 Pakistanis have also been reported missing, six young men from Pahlia, six from Pindi Bhattain.
The incident took place in a search-and-rescue zone under the authority of Libya. Survivors, all men from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Egypt, were picked up by a commercial vessel and later brought near Lampedusa.
According to initial accounts, the boat ran into rough weather and strong waves shortly after departure. It began taking on water and capsized within hours, while still in Libyan waters.
One young man from Phalia identified as Imran Asghar survived the ordeal.
He informed his family after reaching the camp. His father said Imran first went to Libya on a Qatar visa and then departed for Italy.
Meanwhile, rescue efforts continue for more than 75 missing persons. Six youths from Phalia remain untraced. Grief has spread across their homes.
Four of the missing belong to the same village. They are Tayyab Abbas, Irfan Warraich, Tanveer Sadiq, and Faizan Sajid. Iqbal Arshad from Ranmal Sharif and Saad Zafar from Pindi Lala are also among the missing.
The International Organization for Migration and UNHCR said the number of missing could be over 70, though confirmation is still awaited.
German rescue group Sea-Watch reported that its aircraft spotted the aftermath, including an overturned vessel, people clinging to debris and bodies floating in the sea.
Authorities from Italy and Libya jointly led the rescue effort, deploying several vessels before shifting survivors to shore.
Families have urged the government to act quickly to locate their loved ones.
