Documents from the last moments of the Greek humanitarian mission in Libya were made public by The Libya Update website, i.e. from the time of their arrival and shortly before the tragic accident, in which 5 were killed and 13 other members were seriously injured.
The accident happened yesterday Sunday (17.9.2023)when the 19 members of the Greek humanitarian mission, including 16 from the Armed Forces, arrived in Libya to carry out search and rescue operations in the flooded areas.
The documents show members of the mission being briefed on the tarmac of the military airport next to the Greek military aircraft before boarding the bus that would take them to the flooded areas.
However, their mission was never completed, as a few hours after the following photos of The Libya Update, the accident occurred, which spread sadness in our country.
Greek army units arrive in Libya to assist in the search and rescue operations to locate victims of floods that swept parts of the country’s eastern region.
The #Libya Update pic.twitter.com/WxbMGX87R1
— The Libya Update (@TheLibyaUpdate) September 17, 2023
“Units of the Greek army are arriving in Libya to assist in search and rescue operations to locate victims of the floods that have swept areas of the eastern region of the country,” reports The Libya Update.
A few hours later, the same medium released the video it shows the bus of the Greek mission has been engulfed in flames after colliding with a truck.
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
From the conflict 5 Greeks were killed while 10 of the total of 13 seriously injured have been transferred to 401 Athens General Military Hospital. The other 3 are at 251 Aviation General Hospital and to Athens naval hospital. According to information, one of the injured has suffered serious fractures in the waist.
At the same time, the Greek authorities are investigating the circumstances under which the tragic accident occurred. The shock, obviously, is great, since the government representative, Pavlos Marinakis, also stated that “we cannot say with certainty what happened to the Greek mission” in Libya.
For his part, Kyriakos Mitsotakis sent his condolences, saying that “5 members of the Greek delegation are mourning a tragic accident. A drama that happened while they were performing the noble duty of humanitarianism and international solidarity. The whole country mourns. My thoughts are with the families of the victims and our 10 injured. The State will stand by their side.”
“The loss of their lives in an accident during the practical demonstration of solidarity to our fellow citizens 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” commented the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias.
The article The last moments of the Greek mission before the accident in Libya – Documents from the arrival was published in Fourals.com.
