Libya: Algerian relief teams recover dozens of bodies in Derna

Algerian Civil Defense diving teams conduct search and rescue operations in the submerged areas by floodwaters in the Libyan city of Derna on September 15, 2023 [Algerian Civil Defense/Handout/Anadolu Agency]

The Algerian civil protection mission working in Libya has recovered 96 bodies in the city of Derna during search and rescue operations for victims of Storm Daniel which hit the region last Friday, killing thousands and destroying local infrastructure.

According to the General Directorate of Civil Protection on Monday, the Algerian teams have been searching inside submerged buildings and on beaches.

The Algerian mission consists of 113 civil protection officers of various ranks and specialisations, distributed across several teams, including divers, medics specialising in disaster medicine, operations management, search and rescue, and cyno-technicians equipped with special equipment for flood intervention.

The foreign ministry in Algiers said that the aid mission was sent to Libya in response to a request from the President of the Libyan Presidential Council, Muhammad Younes Al-Menfi, to provide support and assistance to areas affected by the storm and subsequent devastating floods.

READ: EXPLAINER — What caused the floods in Libya and why are they so bad?

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