The Libyan National Unity Government announced that, following the flood in the east of the country, “bacterial contamination” was detected in all underground water resources in the city of Derna, as a result of the mixing of sewage water and the decomposition and disintegration of corpses.
The General Directorate of Environmental Cleaning Affairs under the Ministry of Local Government of the Government of National Unity made a written statement on the subject.
In the statement, it was noted that the teams continue to examine water resources in the affected cities by conducting comprehensive analyzes of water resources, including water analysis in the pipe that draws seawater to the treatment plant in the port.
It was stated that the pipe in question is considered an important part of the seawater desalination process in the region, as it draws large amounts of seawater and directs it to the treatment plant, which is an important source of providing fresh water to Derne and the surrounding people.
The statement included the following statements:
“The analysis results showed that all public and private groundwater resources were contaminated with microbial contamination. The results also showed that seawater was chemically and bacterially contaminated as a result of mixing with sewage and the decomposition of corpses in it.”
It was stated that the teams continued to distribute chlorine in pill form to disinfect the water, while also educating and guiding citizens on how to use water safely.
In addition, the statement pointed out that the analysis process is expected to continue for a few more weeks as water samples are taken from various water sources and analyzed in laboratories, and appropriate measures are taken according to the analysis results and expert recommendations.
Flood disaster in Libya
“Storm Daniel”, which was effective in the Central Mediterranean and hit the east of Libya on September 10, caused floods in the cities of Benghazi, Beyda, Merc, Suse and Derna.
Prime Minister of the National Unity Government, Abdulhamid Dibeybe, declared a 3-day mourning throughout the country on September 11 due to the flood, and the Libyan Presidential Council called for help from sister countries and international institutions for the flood-damaged regions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also announced that more than 4 thousand people died due to floods in Libya and more than 8 thousand 500 people were still missing.
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