Tripoli [Libya], September 16: Only emergency workers will be allowed into devastated areas to minimize health risks to civilians, after the Libyan city of Derna was submerged in floods.
The Guardian newspaper reported on September 16 that the opposition government in eastern Libya has blocked most of the port city of Derna devastated by storm Daniel. The blockade was issued amid concerns by health organizations that water pollution could increase the death toll.
Only search and rescue teams will be allowed into areas of the affected town, said Salem Al-Ferjani, health official in eastern Libya . According to Derna government estimates, based on the number of destroyed residential areas, about 18,000 to 20,000 people died in the storm, Axios reported .
Mr. Bilal Sablouh, director of forensics for the African region of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said at a press conference in Geneva (Switzerland): "Bodies were scattered on the streets, washed ashore and buried under collapsed buildings and debris. In just 2 hours, one of my colleagues counted more than 200 bodies on the beach near Derna."
Divers are also combing the city's coastal waters. In addition, the United Nations issued a call for donations of 71 million USD (1,721 billion VND) and said 884,000 people were affected by the floods.
Amid the overwhelming death toll, rescue workers buried bodies in mass graves.
However, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other aid groups called on the Libyan government to stop doing this, because the graves could endanger people's health if dug near underground water sources. . Libyan health authorities reported more than 40 cases of water poisoning after the storm.
Ibrahim al-Arabi, Libya's Health Minister, also told Reuters that he was certain the groundwater was contaminated because the water was mixed with human and dead animal bodies, garbage and chemicals. He also urged people not to go near the wells in Derna.
All parties are now calling for better burial management and no rush to carry out mass burials or cremations.
At the same time, many Libyans are pressing for an official investigation into the cause of the disaster. Libyan television stations broadcast appeals and prayers for those affected by the disaster.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper