Tracking a smuggler behind deadly Atlantic migrant crossing
Summary
The BBC identified a man named Fadi Gujjar who allegedly plays a role in smuggling people from North Africa to Europe. Gujjar has been implicated in a tragic boat journey, where 50 people died after being promised a safe passage to Europe.Key Facts
- A boat carrying migrants from North Africa to Europe was rescued in January after being lost at sea for 14 days, resulting in 50 deaths.
- BBC identified Fadi Gujjar (also known as Khawar Hassan) as a people smuggler behind this journey.
- Gujjar is from Jaurah, Pakistan, and his current online location is Istanbul, Turkey.
- The survivors of the boat tragedy claimed they each paid Gujjar approximately $13,000 (£10,000) for the journey.
- Gujjar allegedly sells and advertises his services through word of mouth, not online.
- The route for many migrants leads from Mauritania to the Canary Islands, a part of Spain and the European Union.
- The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reports that Mauritania has become a main location for people smuggling since 2023.
- IOM data indicates that this year, 170 people, including 14 children, have died or gone missing on the journey from Mauritania to Europe.
- Many Pakistani migrants risk the journey for better economic opportunities in Europe.
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