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

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

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 organise 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 towards 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.

READ: Libya Parliament allocates $2bn in response to deadly floods