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Catastrophic floods resulting from a massive storm have thrown Libya into turmoil, with an estimated 10,000 individuals feared missing and a death toll that could surpass 2,500, according to government officials. The floods have decimated Derna, a city in the eastern part of the country, where over 1,000 bodies have already been discovered.
The storm, named Storm Daniel, swept across the Mediterranean and caused dams to burst, unleashing torrents of water that engulfed homes and infrastructure in its path. Purported videos circulating on social media depict the city centre of Derna transformed into a wide torrent, with buildings collapsing on both sides.
Hichem Abu Chkiouat, Minister of Civil Aviation and a member of the emergency committee in the eastern administration, told news agency Reuters, “Bodies are lying everywhere – in the sea, in the valleys, under the buildings.” He added, “I am not exaggerating when I say that 25% of the city has disappeared. Many, many buildings have collapsed.”
Abu Chkiouat later told Al Jazeera that he expects the death toll to rise above the 2,500 mark as the number of missing individuals continues to increase.
Storm Daniel also wreaked havoc on other eastern cities, including Benghazi, Libya’s second-largest city, as per a report by Reuters.
Tamer Ramadan, head of a delegation of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, described the death toll as “huge” and confirmed reports of an estimated 10,000 missing persons, the report mentioned.
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Libya Floods: Catastrophic Collapse Of 2 Dams Sent Surge Towards Derna
The catastrophic collapse of two dams under the force of the flooding waters sent a surge towards Derna, resulting in widespread devastation. Ahmed Mismari, spokesperson for the Libyan National Army (LNA), stated, “Three bridges were destroyed. The flowing water carried away entire neighborhoods, eventually depositing them into the sea”, as quoted by CNN.
Osama Aly, head of Libya’s Emergency and Ambulance Authority, reported that homes in valleys were swept away by powerful muddy currents, carrying vehicles and debris. Communication in the city has been severely hampered, with phone lines down and rescue efforts complicated by the extensive destruction.
According to CNN’s report, Aly acknowledged shortcomings in preparation for the disaster, stating, “Libya was not prepared for a catastrophe like that. It has not witnessed that level of catastrophe before. We are admitting there were shortcomings even though this is the first time we face that level of catastrophe.”
Libya finds itself in an unprecedented scenario as the storm is being described as one of the deadliest on record in North Africa.
Libya Floods: Türkiye, Italy, UAE Announce Aid
In response to the crisis, several countries have pledged aid. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the dispatch of 168 search and rescue teams and humanitarian aid to Benghazi, state-run news agency Anadoulu reported on Tuesday.
Italy is sending a civil defense team to assist with rescue operations, the country’s Civil Protection Department, CNN reported.
The United States has also initiated official humanitarian assistance efforts after the US Embassy in Libya announced that its special envoy, Ambassador Richard Norland, put forth an official declaration of humanitarian need.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates also offered aid and condolences to the affected regions.
The Libya National Meteorological Centre reported that the storm reached its peak in northeastern Libya on September 10, with wind speeds of up to 80 km/h (50 mph).
The situation remains dire, with authorities and international organisations mobilising to provide relief and support to the affected areas.
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