Libyan authorities ask journalists to leave flood-hit Derna 'to improve rescue efforts'

More than 11,300 people have been killed as recovery efforts continue

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  A tilted car sits above debris in Libya's eastern city of Derna. AFP

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  A damaged building, days after Storm Daniel swept across eastern Libya. EPA

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  Rescue teams walk in Derna. AFP

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  Rescuers and relatives of victims set up tents in front of collapsed buildings. AP

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  Abdulkarim Ben Ali uses crutches as he walks on the roof of his sister's damaged house. Reuters

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  A Palestinian civil defence team. AFP

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  Rescue teams. AFP

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  Youssef, 18, a survivor of the flooding, lies on a bed at the Benghazi Medical Centre hospital. AFP

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  People gather for a demonstration outside the surviving Al Sahaba mosque. AFP

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  People who survived the deadly storm outside the Al Sahaba mosque. Reuters

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  Demonstrators take part in protest against the government. Reuters

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  Ruins at the site of the ancient Greco-Roman city of Cyrene in eastern Libya, about 60km west of Derna. AFP

Eastern Libyan authorities have asked journalists to leave the flood-hit city of Derna, a government minister said on Tuesday, claiming the volume of reporters is hampering rescue teams' work.

“It is an attempt to create better conditions for the rescue teams to carry out the work more smoothly and effectively,” Hichem Abu Chkiouat, minister of civil aviation in the eastern Libyan administration, told Reuters.

“The large number of journalists has become an impediment to the work of rescue teams.”

His comments come more than a week after Storm Daniel struck the city, causing flooding that killed more than 11,300 people and left another 10,000 more missing.

Mohammed ElJarh, co-founder of Libya Desk consultancy, has told The National that civilians flocking to assist the survivors in Derna, while appreciated, were also creating chaos.

“This help is much appreciated on the ground, especially for survivors.”

“People from every part of Libya are pouring into the Green Mountain and Derna – and while this is very appreciated, it’s also contributing to the chaos, delays and shortages in fuel that’s much needed for these areas,” he said.

“It's also contributing to the increase in prices; hotels are fully booked in neighbouring areas.”