ISLAMABAD: A tragic boat accident off the coast of Oman has left 19 Pakistanis missing, while one survivor was rescued. According to an initial report prepared by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the vessel carrying 20 Pakistanis was struck by a storm on September 7. During the chaos, a gas cylinder onboard exploded, setting the boat on fire and forcing all passengers to jump into the sea.

The sole survivor, Hamidullah Khan, was rescued by a passing ship and later taken into custody by Omani authorities. Pakistan’s embassy in Muscat is coordinating arrangements for his safe return.

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Preliminary findings suggest that the ill-fated boat had departed from Gwadar via Iran en route to Oman. Hamidullah has provided the identities of 11 of his missing companions, while efforts continue in cooperation with Oman’s Foreign Ministry to gather information on the remaining missing persons.