5 Libyan soldiers killed, 7 missing due to Storm Daniel

CAIRO - 11 September 2023: A Libyan military source confirmed to "Youm 7" on Monday that five soldiers of the Libyan National Army have been killed and contact has been lost with seven others, due to the intense Hurricane Daniel sweeping through the nation in recent hours. The source also indicated that the death toll might rise, especially in the eastern region, in the aftermath of the storm.

The city of Derna was described as facing a disastrous situation, being significantly hit by the intense hurricane. The military source highlighted the challenges of assessing the number of casualties in Derna due to communication and electricity outages. The city urgently needs support to overcome this crisis. He also pointed out that main roads in the eastern cities have been rendered inaccessible because of the hurricane, complicating rescue efforts.

Derna, a city in Libya, has been in a state of panic, which further aggravates the current national situation due to the onset of Hurricane Daniel. The storm resulted in a significant number of deaths, injuries, and has displaced hundreds.

The designated Libyan Prime Minister by the parliament, Dr. Osama Hamad, declared Derna a disaster-stricken city, urging all efforts to be directed to the city to rescue those stranded.

The Security Directorate of Derna urged residents of the coastal areas, as well as those living in mountain valleys and water drainage areas, from Al-Hussain area in the east to Al-Athrun area in the west, to cooperate with security personnel and evacuate these regions promptly, leaving behind no valuable possessions.

In a statement released by its media office, the Directorate emphasized the need for residents near the coastline to exercise caution. They also urged residents to cooperate with security personnel, evacuate those areas, leave no valuables, and turn off electricity when leaving, in anticipation of any emergencies, especially in places like Wadi Al-Shawaer.

Acting proactively, the Security Directorate of Derna has initiated the evacuation of residents from areas facing the sea, aiming to ensure their safety. This move has been undertaken as a part of Security Plan No. 6 to secure the city of Derna and its suburbs.

Hurricane Daniel has emerged as a rare and devastating force affecting parts of Libya, a country already grappling with political and socio-economic challenges. Natural disasters of this magnitude only exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and put additional pressure on national infrastructure and emergency response systems.