The Foreign Office on Tuesday said Pakistan stood in solidarity with people of Libya which was hit by a deadly flood causing massive devastation in its northeastern parts.
“The Government and people of Pakistan extend heartfelt condolences to the people and State of Libya on the devastation caused by the deadly floods in the Northeastern part of Libya,” said the FO in a news release.
The FO termed the loss of lives and the sufferings endured by the survivors “deeply saddening” and said the government of Pakistan stood in solidarity with the Libyan people during these difficult times.
“Our Embassy in Libya is monitoring the situation and is in contact with the local authorities for possible assistance and support to the community,” it said.
Libya is reeling from a catastrophic flash flood that has claimed the lives of at least 2,300 people in the eastern coastal city of Derna, with thousands more reported missing. The devastating floods were triggered by torrential rains brought by Storm Daniel, which made landfall in Libya after causing havoc in Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey.
Derna, a city of 100,000 residents, witnessed massive destruction as multi-storey buildings along riverbanks collapsed, and houses and vehicles were swept away by the raging waters.
Emergency services on the ground in Libya have reported the initial death toll in Derna alone, while more than 5,000 people remain missing, and approximately 7,000 have been injured.
The floods have turned what is normally a dry riverbed into a raging torrent of mud-brown water, causing significant damage to several major bridges. The number of casualties reported by Libyan authorities aligns with early estimates provided by the Red Cross and local authorities in the eastern region, who have expressed concerns that the death toll may continue to rise.
Tamer Ramadan of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies confirmed to the foreign media that the number of missing people has reached approximately 10,000 individuals, underscoring the magnitude of the disaster.
The flood disaster has overwhelmed Libya, a country that is still recovering from the aftermath of years of war and chaos following the 2011 Nato-backed uprising that led to the downfall and death of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Currently, Libya is divided between two rival governments, with the eastern region, where Derna is located, particularly impacted by the disaster.
Despite limited access to the eastern region, several countries and international organizations have offered assistance, including Algeria, Egypt, France, Italy, Qatar, Tunisia, Turkey, and the United States. Rescue teams from Turkey have already arrived in eastern Libya.
The UN has also extended its support, with a call for urgent aid and rescue efforts. The situation in Libya remains critical, with the nation mourning the loss of lives and facing significant challenges in the wake of this calamity of epic proportions.
