The United Al-Omran Maritime and Logistics Services Company reported today, Wednesday, that four major oil ports in Libya were reopened after being closed on Saturday due to a powerful storm that swept through the country, resulting in the deaths of thousands. The ports of Brega, Sidra, and Ras Lanuf in eastern Libya reopened yesterday, Tuesday, while the Zuitina port opened this morning. The Libyan government confirmed that the situations at the dams and valleys of Qatara and Jaza in Benghazi are under control.
A minister in the Libyan government of the east announced today, Wednesday, that more than 5,300 bodies have been counted in the city of Derna, and the number is expected to rise significantly and may even double after the city experienced catastrophic flooding. Civil Aviation Minister Hisham Abu Shkiwat stated to Reuters that the sea continues to wash ashore dozens of bodies, adding that reconstruction will cost billions of dollars.
Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration in Libya noted that at least 30,000 people have been displaced in Derna due to the storm. The organization added that the known number of displaced persons in other areas affected by the storm, including Benghazi, is 6,085 individuals. It continued: "The International Organization for Migration and its partners are immediately preparing non-food items, medicines, search and rescue equipment, and personnel for the affected areas." Estimates indicate that more than 11,000 people are currently missing as a result of the flooding.
Scenes of the widespread destruction inflicted on large areas of eastern Libya due to Hurricane Daniel were shared on social media.
A Palestinian rescue team from the civil defense, the Ministry of Health, and the Palestinian Red Crescent departed today, Wednesday, for Libya to contribute to the rescue and relief efforts following the devastating Hurricane Daniel. Director of International Relations at the Palestinian Civil Defense, Brigadier Auda Younes, stated, "The civil defense team has been prepared for search and rescue, taking into consideration the team's composition to specialize in water rescue operations since the nature of the mission in Libya is related to a catastrophic and devastating hurricane, and most of the population is affected due to the weather conditions associated with the hurricane."
The Palestinian delegation includes a medical team from various specialties, in addition to a specialized nursing team for operating rooms. A specialist in neurosurgery and spinal surgery participating in the delegation stated that the number of Palestinians who died in Libya due to the flooding has risen to 23, and confirmed information was received about the loss of dozens of other Palestinian families due to the hurricane.
The Emirates News Agency announced the arrival of two Emirati aid flights in Benghazi as part of the air bridge established by the UAE to help address the effects of the flooding.
Pope Francis, at the end of the general audience on Wednesday, referred to Libya and Morocco after the natural disasters that struck them, leaving thousands of victims and missing persons, according to Italian news agency Nova. He said, "My feelings are with the Libyan people, who have been severely affected by the rains that caused flooding and resulted in many deaths and injuries, in addition to significant damage," adding, "I invite you to join my prayers for those who have lost their lives and for their families and for the displaced. May our solidarity with these brothers and sisters who suffered this disaster not diminish."
On the other hand, the Egyptian Ministry of Immigration announced that it has repatriated 87 bodies of citizens who died in Libya due to Hurricane Daniel. Libya hosts a large number of Egyptians in the diaspora, who typically cross the eastern land border, where most of the storm-affected areas are located.
