Flooding has hit eastern Libya, causing severe damage and flooding. The flooding was caused by a tropical storm, known as Daniel, which formed in the Mediterranean Sea.
The floods affected the coastal cities of Derna, Bayda, Sousse and Tobruk. In Derna, the floods destroyed houses and buildings and left hundreds of people homeless. In Bayda, floods swept through a residential neighborhood and killed at least 46 people. In Sousse, floods blocked roads and cut off the city. In Tobruk, floods inundated the airport and the city’s military base.
In a telegraphic message sent to the apostolic nuncio in the North African nation, Pope Francis offers his prayers for the more than 2,300 people who lost their lives in the devastation in the east of the country. He also extends his support to the survivors and rescue teams. Archbishop Overend, Vicar Apostolic of Benghazi, makes an urgent appeal to the international community: “Please give us a hand”.
We publish below the telegram of condolences for the victims of the heavy floods in Libya, sent – on behalf of the Holy Father Francis – by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, to the Apostolic Nuncio in Libya, H.E. Msgr Savio Hon Tai-Fai:
Telegram
THE MOST REVEREND
SAVIO HON TAI-FAI
APOSTOLIC NUNCIO TO LIBYA
RABAT
HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS WAS DEEPLY SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE IMMENSE LOSS OF LIFE AND DESTRUCTION CAUSED BY THE FLOODING IN THE EASTERN PART OF LIBYA, AND HE SENDS THE ASSURANCE OF HIS PRAYERS FOR THE SOULS OF THE DECEASED AND ALL WHO MOURN THEIR LOSS. HIS HOLINESS ALSO EXPRESSES HEARTFELT SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS TO THE INJURED, TO THOSE WHO FEAR FOR THEIR MISSING LOVED ONES, AND TO THE EMERGENCY PERSONNEL PROVIDING RESCUE AND RELIEF ASSISTANCE. UPON ALL AFFECTED BY THIS TRAGEDY, POPE FRANCIS WILLINGLY INVOKES THE DIVINE BLESSINGS OF CONSOLATION, STRENGTH AND PERSEVERANCE.
CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE
