Ships may head to Libya’s flood-stricken Derna: officials

TRIPOLI, Libya

The Libyan National Unity Government announced Thursday the ships and tugboats can head to the port of flood-stricken Derna.

“After conducting a survey of the shipping lane and entrances to the port of Derna, ships and tugboats can head to the port, provided that the ships’ draft does not exceed 5 to 7 meters,” the Ports and Maritime Transport Authority said in a statement.

Authorities said “a crisis committee is currently present in the Derna port to facilitate and organize relief ships, deliver aid, and recover victims."

The head of the Roads and Bridges Department of the National Unity Government, Al-Hussein Suwaidan, told Anadolu on Thursday that “reaching some cities and places affected by floods in the eastern region of the country is difficult due to the collapse of most of the bridges, roads, and water ferries connecting them.”

He said authorities must “work to find other paths toward the city of Derna.”

At least 6,000 people have been killed and thousands remain missing due to the weekend floods in eastern Libya, according to officials.

Torrential rains swept through several regions, most notably the cities of Derna, Benghazi, Al-Bayda, Al-Marj, and Soussa.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi