Hassan Ali’s harrowing journey across the Mediterranean, which cost him $7,000 and claimed the lives of many fellow travelers, has led him to a stark conclusion: “Never, ever take this route.”
Hassan, who was rescued from the icy waters near Crete, Greece, recounts the near-death experience that began with a fall into the sea. As he struggled to stay afloat, thoughts of his two children and their future flashed through his mind. He wondered if others from his village, who had embarked on the same perilous journey, had met the same fate.
The rescue, which occurred on December 14, 2024, involved several vessels, including merchant ships and helicopters, in a two-day operation. Despite the rescue of over 200 people, at least five lives were lost, and dozens of others remain missing. Among those rescued were 47 Pakistanis, though 35 are still unaccounted for, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.
Hassan’s journey began three months prior when he left his family in Gujrat, Pakistan. A steel fixer by trade, he earned a meager salary of $150 a month, working grueling hours just to make ends meet. Despite his hard work, rising living costs and financial strain left him feeling trapped. His electricity bill often exceeded $50 a month, and groceries for his extended family were a constant burden.
Determined to give his family a better life, Hassan made the difficult decision to leave. His family raised nearly $7,100 by selling land and jewelry to fund his escape, paying a smuggler for the promise of safe passage to Europe.
His journey took him through multiple countries: from Sialkot to Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Egypt, and finally, to Benghazi, Libya. In Libya, however, he was imprisoned by human traffickers who held him and over 100 other men in a small room. The men endured physical abuse, minimal food, and harsh conditions, with guards monitoring their every move. They were eventually told that their destination had changed from Italy to Greece due to bad weather.
Hassan, terrified of the sea, begged to return home, but was told there was no turning back. Over 80 men were crammed into a small, dilapidated boat. After 40 hours at sea, the boat capsized, throwing Hassan and others into the Mediterranean’s cold waters. He describes how, against all odds, he managed to grab a rope thrown by a rescue ship.
As Hassan was pulled aboard, he collapsed, overwhelmed by what he calls a miracle survival.
Sadly, his experience reflects a broader trend. Gujrat and surrounding cities are hubs for people seeking to reach Europe, with many resorting to the dangerous sea route from Libya. While the number of migrants reaching Europe by sea has decreased, deadly incidents persist. In 2023, over 700 people died in the Mediterranean, including nearly 300 Pakistanis in one shipwreck.
Now in a refugee camp in Malakasa, Greece, Hassan remains hopeful but cautious. He is eager to find work and send money back home to his family. But his message to anyone considering the perilous journey is clear: “It is not worth the risk.”
