The Minister of Interior of the Libyan government, Major General Issam Bouzreiba, announced late last night, Wednesday, that the number of victims resulting from the tropical cyclone that struck the eastern coast of Libya has reached, according to official records, 2,794 dead, among whom 2,631 are from the city of Derna, located 1,300 km east of Tripoli.

Bouzreiba, who is a member of the crisis and emergency committee, stated in a press conference with the Prime Minister – Chairman of the Crisis Committee, that reports registered 2,513 missing persons, among whom 2,410 are missing from the city of Derna.

He indicated that among the dead, some were buried in mass graves and are unidentified, after taking DNA samples, noting the establishment of a joint operations room between the Ministry of Interior and the armed forces to manage the crisis.

For his part, Health Minister Othman Abdul Jalil stated in the press conference that the announced casualty statistics include those who were buried in mass graves.

He noted that it has been 4 days since the missing individuals have been trapped under the rubble, emphasizing the government's efforts to take measures to protect citizens from the spread of epidemics.

Moreover, the head of the Libyan government appointed by the parliament, Osama Hamad, confirmed during the press conference that the extent of destruction caused by the disaster necessitated the government's support for the General Command to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities towards the people.

He stated, "A high-level emergency and rapid response committee has been formed in preparation to take the necessary measures to confront the disaster before it occurs," emphasizing that the government has allocated urgent financial funds for the affected municipalities, especially the devastated city of Derna, to meet essential expenses.

He clarified that the government has allocated a special emergency budget for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the municipalities affected by the disaster.

He indicated that search and rescue operations are still ongoing under the rubble and at sea by specialized teams from the national army, the Red Crescent, and others, and that local and international search and rescue teams continue day and night to spare Derna the calamities of spreading diseases and epidemics.

Hamad extended his gratitude to the General Command of the Libyan army, all government and private entities, and all cities that rushed to support Derna, calling on all Libyans, politicians, military personnel, and security forces to unite for Libya's unity and the safety of its territories.