Tue 12 September 2023:
The interior ministry of eastern Libya’s administration says the death toll has risen to at least 5,200 people.
“Around 5,200 people were killed in Derna city alone,” Tareq al-Kharaz, a spokesman for the ministry, told Anadolu Agency.
Aid agencies have so far provided lower figures but warn the number of victims could sharply rise as thousands remain unaccounted.
Al-Kharaz also said about 1,300 bodies have so far been buried after being identified by families.
“Entire families have vanished as a result of the deadly storm,” al-Kharaz said. “Many corpses could not be identified and were not buried.”
Gilles Carbonnier, vice president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, has told Al Jazeera the situation in eastern Libya “is extremely dire”.
“Hundreds and hundreds of people may have died, thousands more affected, people missing,” he said.
Carbonnier said the organisation has supported the Libyan Red Cross volunteers in the region to provide life-saving assistance and help them evacuate stranded people.
“The emergency now is to save lives and provide first aid,” he said, noting that what will also be needed is shelter, water and food “for all the victims of this terrible flooding”.
Situation catastrophic, hospitals filled with bodies: Official
Othman Abduljaleel, the health minister in Libya’s eastern-based administration, says “the situation is catastrophic” in the region.
He added: “The bodies are still lying on the ground in many parts [of Derna]. Hospitals are filled with bodies, and there are areas we have yet to reach.”
“The situation was more significant and worse than we expected. An international intervention is needed,” he was quoted as saying by state media.
At least 20 percent of Derna destroyed, says deputy mayor
The deputy mayor of Derna, Ahmed Madroud, has told Al Jazeera that “at least 20 percent of the city has been destroyed”.
He explained by phone that the reason behind the devastation was related to the weak infrastructure in the city and the fact that many buildings were clustered in narrow streets located close to the river.
“When the river overflowed its banks, it just took all the buildings with it, and the families that were in it,” he said.
Haftar says focus on emergency response
Renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar, who supports Libya’s eastern-based administration, says the immediate focus is on emergency response.
“We have directed the government to form a specialised committee to assess the damage, instantly begin the reconstruction of roads to facilitate transportation, restore the electricity and to take all immediate and needed measures in that regards,” he said in a televised statement.
“All official bodies, especially Libya’s central bank, should provide the urgent financial support needed so those executing can do their work and go ahead with reconstruction.”
Turkish president voices support as Ankara sends aid to flood victims
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has voiced support and solidarity with Libya following the deadly flooding.
“May God have mercy on our brothers who lost their lives due to the flood disaster in Libya. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” said Erdogan in a post over X, previously known as Twitter.
He said that Turkey has sent three flights to Benghazi this morning, carrying craft have 168 rescuers, two search and rescue vehicles, and two rescue boats.
He added that Turkey will also send 170 tents, 600 blankets, 400 food boxes, 20 generators, 1,000 raincoats, 500 boots and 500 flashlights as part of its aid package to Libya.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
______________________________________________________________
FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:
TWITTER (CLICK HERE)
https://twitter.com/IpIndependent
FACEBOOK (CLICK HERE)
https://web.facebook.com/ipindependent
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
