BBC Trending: From a smuggler’s TikTok to tragedy
BBC Trending reveals how one Pakistani smuggler’s TikTok account presents clues around his illicit activities - and how he is wanted for his role in deaths at sea.
In January a boat carrying migrants across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe was miraculously rescued by a fishing trawler after two weeks lost at sea. At least 50 people are presumed dead after the horrific journey. Many of those on the boat were promised safe, legal routes from Pakistan to Europe by people smugglers, but that was far from the reality.
BBC Trending tracks the digital footprint of one of the smugglers wanted for his part in this tragedy. On TikTok, videos depict his lifestyle: one of money, nice restaurants and a lot of travel. But these videos reveal much more about the smuggler’s operations.
Presenter/producer: Reha Kansara and Shruti Menon
Producer: Mohammad Zubair Khan
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Sat 3 May 202504:32GMTLive News- Sat 3 May 202504:32GMTBBC World Service
- Sat 3 May 202517:32GMTBBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only
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