Libya: Five dead Greeks from the traffic accident – C-130 with injured returns to Greece
According to Proroothema.gr we read the following about this major tragedy with the final death count of Greek rescue workers who were sent to Libya…
It is about three soldiers and two interpreters – Investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy.
At the airport of Elefsina, shortly before 7 am, the C-130 landed with the members of the Greek humanitarian aid who were injured in the horrific car accident in Libya at noon on Sunday. The accident killed seven people, five of whom are Greek (three military and two interpreters). A C-27 is expected to arrive in Greece, which will transport the five bodies.
The information was initially confusing: the General Staff of National Defense – which initially spoke of minor injuries – later announced that three members of the Greek mission had died and two were missing. However, information cited by international media from Libya spoke of four dead and seven wounded, while according to the latest information, the dead are five.
Last night, the Minister of Health of the government of eastern Libya announced that, as a result of what he described as a “horrific” traffic accident, 15 Greek soldiers were injured, 7 of them seriously. Two Libyans, reportedly translators who were on the bus, are also in critical condition.
Video | A bus transporting #Greek Rescue Team has an accident on Marawa road on its way to the #flood-effected #Derna city, killing 7 people & wounding 6.
The #Libya Update pic.twitter.com/Pcvqm4fnld
— The Libya Update (@TheLibyaUpdate) September 17, 2023
Meanwhile, the circumstances under which the horrific car accident took place have not yet been made known. We only know that the bus carrying the mission of 19 Greek soldiers, nurses and rescuers carrying humanitarian aid (medicines, sanitary material and food) for the victims of the bad weather Daniel in Derna collided head-on with a truck. The accident happened on the local Marawa road when the truck was found – under unspecified circumstances – in the oncoming traffic. Both vehicles were engulfed in flames after the fierce collision.
Meanwhile, the region is in chaos after the passage of storm Daniel, which left hundreds dead.
In Derna, the United Nations estimates that at least 11,300 people have drowned in the floods, with the city’s mayor fearing that number “will triple” in the coming days. The once beautiful city that was drowned when two dams broke due to the storm has turned into a hell on earth as the streets are littered with corpses, with authorities burying them in mass graves for fear of disease.
Humanitarian aid from all over the world is heading to the city, with Greece being among the first to rush to support and support the trying people of Libya, sending 2 tons of supplies and basic necessities and 1 ton of medical supplies as well as medical and nursing staff of GEETHA [Hellenic National Defense General Staff (ΓΕΕΘΑ, Γενικό Επιτελείο Εθνικής Άμυνας)] .
Three days of mourning in the Armed Forces:
The Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, expressed his deepest sorrow and condolences for the death of the five Greeks, three military and two civilians, who were killed in a traffic accident in Libya in a statement on Monday morning.
At the same time, Mr. Dendias announced the declaration of three days of mourning for the Armed Forces after the tragedy with the five dead Greeks in Libya.
The statement of Nikos Dendias:
“I express my deepest sorrow for the death of the three members of the Armed Forces, who lost their lives in the line of duty, participating in the Greek humanitarian aid mission in Libya. The loss of their lives in an accident, during the practical demonstration of solidarity to our fellow human beings who are being tested, together with members of missions from other states, causes immense sadness to the large family of the Armed Forces, as well as to the entire Greek people.
I also express my deepest sorrow for the loss of life of the two civilians who were part of the same mission.
Our thoughts at this time are with the families of the victims of the accident, to whom we extend our most sincere condolences, as well as to the injured, to whom we extend our best wishes for a speedy recovery.
By my decision, a three-day mourning period is declared for the Armed Forces for the death of their officers, during the humanitarian aid mission in Libya.”