The Documentary Podcast, BBC Trending: From a suspected smuggler’s TikTok to tragedy

The Documentary Podcast

BBC Trending: From a suspected smuggler’s TikTok to tragedy

April 30, 2025

21 minutes

Available for over a year

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 20 people died from starvation, dehydration and hypothermia. Many of those on the boat - Pakistani men - were promised safe, legal routes to Europe by the smugglers but that was far from their reality.

BBC Trending tracks the digital footprint of one of the suspected smugglers wanted for deaths on this very migrant boat. On TikTok, trivial 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