Road Collision: Four Greek Rescuers Killed In Libya

News Desk

Derna, Libya: A road accident on Sunday claimed the lives of four members of a Greek rescue team that had been deployed to Libya following the disastrous floods that struck Derna, stated Libyan Minister.

Fifteen members of the Greek rescue team were injured, including seven in a critical condition and eight are in a stable condition, informed Libyan eastern government Health Minister Othman Abdeljalil.

Speaking at a press conference in Derna, Othman informed that they died while the team was en route from Benghazi to Derna – 300 kilometres (185 miles) to the east.

Minister further said that the accident took place when a bus carrying medical personnel collided with a car carrying a Libyan family moving in the opposite direction. Three people in the car died and two were seriously injured, Othman added.

According to a diplomatic source, the Greek rescue team had 16 members plus three interpreters.

In collaboration with the Libyan authorities, the causes and circumstances of the incident are being investigated, and an operation is underway to gather the personnel in Benghazi and repatriate them, the Greek Armed Forces stated.

Thousands of people were killed after two dams above Libya’s eastern city of Derna broke on September 10 during a powerful storm, bringing down residential blocks lining a usually dry riverbed as people slept. Many bodies have been washed out to sea.