Four Indians stranded in Libya evacuated by Indian Embassy in Tripoli

The Indian Embassy in Tripoli has evacuated four Indians who were stuck in Libya. The four Indians, who are from Punjab and Haryana, were escorted out of the country on Thursday by an embassy counsellor. “Four stranded Indians from Punjab and Haryana being seen off by Embassy’s local representative Mrs Tabassum Mansoor at Benina Airport on September 14,” the Indian Embassy in Tunisia and Libya wrote on ‘X’ formerly Twitter on Thursday. According to CNN, catastrophic floods that wreaked havoc across Libya has claimed the lives of more than 6000 people. According to Saadeddin Abdul Wakil, the Unity Government in Tripoli’s undersecretary of health, the dead toll was updated on Wednesday AM local time. Hospitals that are still closed despite the urgent need to treat disaster survivors have overflowing mortuaries, according to staff. According to the emigration ministry of Egypt, 87 Egyptians who died in Libya were interred by the government. Authorities worry that 10,000 more people are still missing, either carried away by the water or buried beneath the ruins of the city, which formerly held more than 100,000 residents. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Libya estimates that over 30,000 people have been displaced as a result of the flooding in Derna. According to CNN, some of the damaged communities are unreachable to humanitarian agencies due to the substantial infrastructure damage in the area. Only two of Derna’s seven entrances are now open. In order to uphold Islamic customs that the deceased should be buried within three days, authorities are searching through mounds of debris for survivors and bodies. 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. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday expressed his condolences for those killed in the devastating floods in Libya. “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the heavy floods in Libya. Our sympathies are with the families of the victims and with all those affected by the calamity. Express our solidarity with the people of Libya in this difficult time,” posted Jaishankar on X. Tibetan spiritual leader the 14th Dalai Lama has also prayed for the families who have lost their lives in the floods in Libya. “I pray for those brothers and sisters who have lost their lives and offer my heartfelt condolences to their families, as well as to others affected by this catastrophe,” the Dalai Lama said. The Tibetan spiritual leader further said he is aware that the Libyan authorities and the international community through several international organisations are offering support to the rescue efforts 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. He further said, “As a mark of my solidarity with the people of Libya, the Gaden Phodrang Foundation of the Dalai Lama, is making a donation towards the relief and rescue efforts.” (With agency inputs)