According to the Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani gave orders for sending assistance to the city of Derna, the most-hit by the catastrophe.

“Italy is close to the Libyan people in dealing with the consequences of the cyclone that caused numerous victims and large-scale damage,” said Tajani in relation to the serious consequences of the violent hurricane that hit last weekend, with a death toll so far exceeding 5,000.

In this regard, “a team of experts from the Italian Department of Civil Protection, the fire department, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs arrived in Derna,” he said.

“The arrival of two C-130 J transport planes is planned, which will provide material aid with specialized equipment” he specified, adding that “in the coming hours more Italian aid will arrive, if necessary” because, he said, “we want to actively contribute to the early recovery of a partner and friend country”.

pll/mem/ort