On Saturday, Libya’s Ambassador to Turkey, Mustafa Elgelaib, confirmed that 21 Libyans who were stuck in earthquake-hit areas in southern Turkey were successfully evacuated. The Ambassador added that 15 people were transferred to Istanbul and some of them were returned to Libya.
In press statements, Elgelaib stated that the recently-rescued nationals included four students who were also evacuated from the region. He noted that three of them will arrive tomorrow morning in Ankara, while the fourth student asked to leave for Libya.
The Ambassador stated that there were no injuries among the Libyan community in Turkey, except for a child who received treatment and left the hospital quickly.
He denied the rumors circulated on social media that a Libyan family residing in Turkey was injured due to the earthquake.
He stated that there is no large Libyan community living in the earthquake-hit areas, but rather a few students and businessmen, who have been evacuated successfully.
Elgelaib pointed out that a Libyan family has been rescued after being caught up in the earthquake in Turkish Hatay, noting that their son had left the hospital after receiving treatment.
He added that they are working to support the family and other nationals who have been directly affected by the earthquakes in Turkey.
“The crisis team of the Libyan mission continues to closely follow the conditions of our nationals caught up in the earthquake-affected areas in southern Turkey,” Elgelaib noted, confirming that all those who have been contacted so far are in good condition.
The Turkish government stated that only vehicles carrying aid teams and aid materials will be allowed to enter cities located in the area of the disaster.
However, Elgelaib said they are in continuous contact with the Turkish authorities to evacuate Libyan nationals in the provinces affected by the earthquake.
According to the Ambassador, the Libyan mission had reached out to two Libyan women, including a student, and is working to transfer them to Istanbul.
As for the Libyan rescue crew, he affirmed that the team joined the rescue efforts upon its arrival in Adana.
The team was dispatched to the affected areas according to a plan set by the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, the Ambassador added.