A powerful sandstorm sweeping across eastern and southern Libya has claimed the life of one person and injured at least 15 others, while causing widespread material damage and forcing authorities to suspend flights, impose curfews, and extend public holidays.
The casualty toll was confirmed on Tuesday by Khaled Al-Qaddafi, head of the Supreme Emergency Committee at the Ministry of Health of the government appointed by the House of Representatives. In a video statement, he said medical facilities had received 15 injured people with minor to moderate wounds, in addition to one fatality, as a result of the severe weather conditions.
Security sources later identified the victim as a young man, Mohamed Al-Tabawi, who died in Benghazi after the roof of his room collapsed during the storm.
The sandstorm, which began affecting large parts of eastern and southern Libya on Monday, has been particularly destructive in Benghazi. Strong winds uprooted large trees, damaged residential walls, and brought down electricity pylons. Social media users shared images of vehicles crushed by falling trees and debris, highlighting the scale of the destruction.
In response to the worsening conditions, Prime Minister Osama Hammad ordered the extension of the official holiday for an additional two days, covering Wednesday and Thursday, in both the eastern and southern regions. The decision followed an emergency meeting with Saddam Haftar, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the eastern forces, and Faraj Al-Aqaim, head of the Emergency and Rapid Response Committee, to assess the situation and review preparedness levels.
According to a government statement, the meeting examined field and technical reports evaluating current and forecast weather conditions, the resulting damage, and the readiness of relevant authorities to ensure the continuity of essential services and protect public safety.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Emergency Committee imposed a full curfew and ordered the closure of all shops and commercial activities in cities across eastern and southern Libya. In a separate directive to the Civil Aviation Authority, all flights at airports in the affected regions were suspended until the weather system passes.
The National Center of Meteorology had warned last Saturday of a strong dust storm driven by a deep low-pressure system, forecasting reduced visibility, high winds, and dangerous conditions across large parts of the country.
Libya remains politically divided, with two rival governments: one based in Benghazi and led by Osama Hammad, and another internationally recognized administration in Tripoli headed by Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba. The United Nations continues to mediate efforts to overcome institutional divisions and pave the way for long-delayed presidential and parliamentary elections, seen as crucial to stabilizing the oil-rich nation.
