By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Saturday said that twelve Pakistanis have been identified among survivors of the capsized boat off the coast of Greece.

"At this stage we are unable to verify the number and identity of Pakistani nationals among the deceased. The Pakistan Mission in Greece under the leadership of Ambassador Aamar Aftab remains in contact with the local authorities for identification and recovery of Pakistani nationals among the deceased and providing relief to the survivors," said the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch:

"Our Mission also remains in contact with the Greek authorities in the identification process of the 78 recovered bodies. This identification process will take place through DNA-matching with close family members (parents and children only)," she added.

So far, authorities recovered 78 deaths from one of the deadliest disasters of this year, but the toll is certain to rise as hundreds remain missing.

The 104 people fortunate enough to live to tell the tale say there were some 700 people on the ill-fated trawler, many from Pakistan, Egypt and Syria, according to Anadolu Agency.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Zardari expressed condolances with bereaved families and said 12 Pakistani have been rescued.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate ferry disaster in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Greece. Our Embassy in Athens has identified 12 Pakistanis rescued by Hellenic Coast Guard. The Embassy is in contact with the Greek authorities for further updates," Sharif tweeted.

"My deepest sympathies with the families of the victims of the tragic capsizing of the boat off the coast of Greece @GreeceMFA.  Our Embassy in Athens @PakinGreece

is in constant contact with the local authorities to facilitate Pakistanis in distress, for the recovery of the missing, and the identification of the retrieved bodies," Zardari wrote on Twitter.