Libya: Indian Embassy successfully evacuates four flood-affected ‘stranded’ nationals from Tripoli

On September 14, 2023, four people from the Indian states of Haryana, and Punjab, were safely evacuated by the Indian Embassy in Tripoli, the capital of Libya and were seen off at the Benina Airport by the local representative of the embassy, Tabassum Mansoor.

“Four stranded Indians from Punjab and Haryana being seen off by the Embassy’s local representative Tabassum Mansoor at the Beninan Airport on September 14, 2023,” the Indian Embassy in Tunisia and Libya wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Impact of the Storm Daniel

According to a media agency, catastrophic floods that have wreaked havoc across Libya have claimed the lives of more than 6,000 people. According to Saadedein Abdul Wakil, the unity government in Tripoli’s undersecretary of health, the death toll was updated on September 13, 2023.

Hospitals that are still closed despite the urgent need to treat the disaster survivors have overflowing mortuaries according to the hospital staff.  As per the Emigration Ministry of Egypt, 87 Egyptians who died in Libya were interred by the government.

Authorities worry that 10,000 people are still missing, either carried and swayed away by floods or buried underneath the city’s ruins, which formerly held more than 100,000 residents. The International Organisation for Migration in Libys estimates that over 30,000 people have been displaced due to the flooding caused in Derna. Only two of Derna’s seven entrances are now open

The destruction caused by Storm Daniel has made it far more challenging for rescuers to clear the roads and debris to look for survivors. Communication breakdowns caused by the storm complicated rescue operations and caused anxiety among relatives waiting for news of missing loved ones who live outside of Libya.

Condolences By Eminent Figures

External Affairs Minister Subramaniam Jaishankar on September 13, 2023, expressed his condolences for those killed in the devastating floods of Derna in Libya.  He said “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives caused due to the heavy floods in Libya. Our sympathies are with the families of the victims and all those affected by the calamity. Express our solidarity with the people of Libya in this difficult time posted Jaishankar on X.

The Tibetan Spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama has also prayed for the families who have lost their lives in the floods of Libya. “I pray for those brothers and sisters who have lost their lives and offer my condolences to their families as well as others affected by the catastrophe, the Dalai Lama said.

The Spiritual leader further said that he is aware that the Libyan Authorities and the international community through several international organisations are offering support to the rescue and providing relief to the affected people.

“Such a show of international concern and assistance will go a long way towards mitigating the effects of this calamity,” he said.  Continuing further he said, “As a mark of my solidarity with the people of Libya, the Gaden Phodrang Foundation of Dalai Lama is making a donation towards the relief and rescue efforts.”