Libya says four members of Greek rescue team killed in road accident
Fifteen of the Greek rescue team were injured, including seven in a critical condition, Othman Abduljaleel told a televised news conference. Two of the Libyan family were also critical, he said.
The Greek Armed Forces said a bus carrying medical personnel collided with a vehicle moving in the opposite direction, but it did not confirm the deaths.
"The causes and circumstances of the incident are being investigated in cooperation with the Libyan authorities, while an operation is underway to gather the personnel in Benghazi and repatriate them," it said in a statement.
The Greek foreign ministry was not immediately available to comment on Abduljaleel's statement regarding the killing of four Greeks. According to a diplomatic source, the Greek rescue team had 16 members plus three interpreters.
Thousands of people were killed after two dams above Libya's eastern city of Derna broke on Sept. 10 during a powerful storm, bringing down residential blocks lining a usually dry riverbed as people slept. Many bodies have been washed out to sea.
Later Sunday, Greece’s General National Defense Staff (GEETHA) released the following statement:
“We announce that three members of the Greek humanitarian mission to Libya lost their lives and two are missing. An updated statement will follow.”
An earlier GEETHA statement had said that there were only slight injuries.
The Hellenic Foreign Ministry had released the following statement before the fatalities were announced:
“The Greek mission that went to provide humanitarian aid in Libya had a car accident today during its road trip to the city of Derna.
“In coordination with the Ministry of National Defense, the UN and the European Union, the Consulate General of Greece in Benghazi is on hand to provide assistance to the mission and assist in its repatriation.”
