Italy has always been considered one of the most beautiful countries with mesmerizing places and spellbinding views. In a shocking development, the country witnessed a tragic accident that claimed 64 lives including men, women, children, and a newborn. The heartbreaking incident occurred when a wooden boat carrying around 200 people, including eight children, hit the shoals near the coast of Calabria in Italy. Due to rough sea conditions, the overcrowded boat broke apart, leading to the death of at least 64 people including 20 Pakistanis.

Although 80 people survived, there are concerns that many more may have lost their lives. Survivors reported that dozens of people are missing and feared dead. Numerous bodies were said to have drifted onto a tourist beach located close to Steccato di Cutro, while some were discovered in the ocean.

Hockey Player Shahida Raza Among Victims

Unfortunately, a Pakistani hockey player, Shahida Raza, also died in the shipwreck. The 27-year-old was an important member of Pakistan’s National Hockey and was on board to Italy with big dreams of a better career. She had played departmental hockey and was the representative of Balochistan United on the women’s hockey team.

Raza was a mother of a boy and was the sole breadwinner of the family.  She had played in the national hockey league in 2007. She was initially sponsored by the army and the water and power authority; however, later, her sponsorship ended and she was left unemployed in a country that is facing the worst-ever economic crisis.

The Hazara community, which has previously been subjected to lethal attacks, has expressed profound grief and anger about the event. The leaders of the community have requested that the government implement measures to avert similar calamities from occurring again.

Everyone who is aware of the current conditions of Pakistan can confidently assert that these people were economic migrants. They had understood that risking their lives for better opportunities in Europe was a preferable choice compared to relying on the government to improve the situation of the country. Just like the refugees who flee from war, the story of each illegal economic migrant is a story of hopelessness. The responsibility for each of these stories of hopelessness lies with the leaders who have either led their nations into an economic crisis or failed to lead them out of it.

Many underdeveloped nations experience lower levels of illegal migration due to their effective social security systems and the ability of their leaders to inspire trust, regardless of whether their actions are justifiable or not.  If people are desperate to risk their lives to escape a leader’s governance, the leader must address the underlying problems rather than pointing the finger elsewhere.