A government official from the interim government based in Benghazi stated today that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has deployed an additional forensics team to assist in identifying victims of the deadly flooding two weeks ago in Libya.
The official said the newly arrived UAE experts specialize in DNA analysis to identify human remains. They will join the UAE team already working in Derna under the authority of the Libyan attorney general’s office.
According to the official, the latest team will begin assisting in the ongoing recovery and identification efforts starting tomorrow morning. The official stated 145 bodies were found today in Derna, adding to 98 recovered yesterday.
The official also said the attorney general’s office currently has over 1,000 unidentified remains refrigerated as the tedious process of identifying victims continues. The additional forensic expertise will aid efforts to identify the dead and provide closure for grieving families.
The death toll stands at over 11,000 two weeks after flash floods from Mediterranean storm Daniel devastated Derna and surrounding areas on September 11. Many still remain missing as recovery efforts press on.