7 Pakistanis arrested for alleged key role in migrant ship that sank off Greece, leaving 500 missing

Survivors of a shipwreck sit inside a warehouse where are taking shelter at the port in Kalamata town, about 240 kilometers (150miles) southwest of Athens, on Thursday, June 15, 2023. A fishing boat crammed to the gunwales with migrants trying to reach Europe capsized and sank Wednesday June 14 off the coast of Greece, authorities said, leaving at least 79 dead and many more missing in one of the worst disasters of its kind this year. (Angelos Tzortzinis, Pool via AP)

ISLAMABAD — Pakistani authorities say they have arrested seven alleged key figures in a human trafficking ring following last week's sinking of a vessel packed with migrants off Greece.

More than 500 migrants are still missing, including Pakistanis.

Police said Wednesday that arrests are part of a crackdown on smuggling rings.

Thirty other suspects were arrested over the past few days on suspicion they helped facilitate smuggling activities.

Officials say each of those who tried to make the perilous journey to Europe paid the smugglers between $5,000 to $8,000.

Pakistan's prime minister said he would seek the help of Interpol and other nations in arresting traffickers in hopes of preventing further tragedies