SWABI: Four youth belonging to Swabi died when a boat capsized off the Libyan coast while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach European countries in search of a better future, the aggrieved families said here on Monday.

The deceased were identified as Haroon Khan, Uzair Khan, Shah Faisal and Naseem Khan, belonging to Maneri Bala.

The bereaved families said the incident occurred three days ago when at least 15 bodies were found on the coast in Zawiya district of Libya. The local authorities had informed the Red Crescent about the incident.

They said the deceased wanted to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe, while quoting the people of Swabi, who work in Libya. They said the Red Crescent staff had retrieved the bodies and transported them to a hospital where the cause of death and their identification would be determined.

However, they said they were told that the unfortunate youngsters were trapped in a rivalry between two groups of human smugglers, and the boat was set on fire. They said some the bodies were beyond recognition.

Fazal Sher, resident of Naro Kallay village and father of Shah Faisal, 18, told Dawn that his son wanted to go to Europe to earn a living for his family back home.

He said they had paid an agent from Kohat to take Faisal to Libya and then an agent in Libya was paid to take him to Europe. “We are contacting the Libyan agent but his phone is coming off,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Ali, also of Naro Kallay, said he had paid Rs1 million to a local agent to take his son to Libya, adding an agent in Libya wanted the same amount to take his son to Europe.

He said he had not known about the whereabouts of his son for last two weeks.

WORKSHOP: Speakers at a workshop held the other day stressed the need for vaccination of children against different diseases.

The workshop was sponsored by United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund and organised by Samajee Behbood Rabita Council (SBRC). Officials of health department, ulema, politicians and mediapersons participated.

The speakers noted that recent rains and floods had caused spread of various diseases, especially typhoid.

District health officer Dr Mohammad Latif said his department was running a campaign to control typhoid.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2022