Thousands are dead and missing as floods devastate eastern Libya.
At least 2,200 people have died and thousands more are missing in Libya after catastrophic floods destroyed river dams, destroyed an east coast city and levelled entire neighbourhoods.
As global concern spread, many countries offered to urgently send relief and rescue teams to help a war-torn country overwhelmed by what one UN official called a "disgrace of epic proportions."
Massive destruction devastated the Mediterranean city of Derna, a population of about 100,000, where multi-story buildings on the riverbank collapsed and houses and cars disappeared in the rushing water.
The number of people who died in the catastrophic floods in Derna stands at 2,200, the director of the city's hospital told Reuters on Tuesday. Mohamad al-Qabisi, director of Wahda Hospital, said 1,700 people had died in one of the city's two districts and 500 in the other. The death toll of
people reported by Libyan emergency services more or less matches grim estimates from the Red Cross and authorities in the eastern region, who have warned that the number could rise further. “The death toll is enormous and could reach thousands,” said Tamer Ramadan of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, where three volunteers also died.
“According to our independent sources of information, we confirm that the number of missing people so far reaches 10,000 people,” Ramadan told reporters via video link from neighbouring Tunisia.
Elsewhere in eastern Libya, the Norwegian Refugee Council charity said: "Floods have inundated entire villages and the death toll continues to rise."
“Communities across Libya have endured years of conflict, poverty and displacement. The recent disaster will make the situation of these people even worse. Hospitals and emergency shelters will be overwhelmed.
Libya's rival governments "overlooked failing infrastructure" and were hit by dangerous floods
“Catastrophic” situation. Libyan television footage showed dozens of bodies wrapped in blankets or sheets in Derna's main square awaiting identification and burial, as well as more bodies in Martouba, a village about 30 kilometres southeast.
More than 300 victims were buried on Monday, many in mass graves, but there are fears many others have disappeared in the waters of the river that flows into the Mediterranean. Authorities said
rescue teams from Turkey have arrived in eastern Libya, and the United Nations and several countries have offered to send help, including Algeria, Egypt, France, Italy, Qatar, Tunisia and the United States.
Shocking Images
The storm also hit Benghazi and the mountainous region of Jabal al-Akhdar. Flooding, landslides and other severe damage were reported across the region, with images showing overturned cars and trucks.
The Libyan National Oil Company, whose main fields and terminals are located in eastern Libya, declared a "state of high alert" and suspended flights between production sites where it said operations were significantly restricted.
The Libyan government announced three days of national mourning on Monday through the United Nations and led by Abdelhamid Dbeibah, emphasizing “the unity of all Libyans.”
humanitarian convoys from Tripoli were heading east and the Dbeibah government announced the dispatch of two ambulance planes and a helicopter, as well as rescue teams, search dogs and 87 doctors and technicians to restore power.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote that Rome was “responding promptly to requests for support” and that an evaluation team was on the way.
The U.S. Embassy said it had “issued an official statement of humanitarian need in response to the devastating floods in Libya. The President of the European Council Charles Michel, in a letter on.
The catastrophic floods that struck eastern Libya have left a trail of devastation, with a significant loss of life and widespread destruction.
High Casualty Toll: The floods in eastern Libya resulted in a staggering death toll, with at least 2,200 people reported dead and thousands more missing. The floods were caused by the destruction of river dams, which unleashed a torrent of water that engulfed entire neighbourhoods and cities.
Global Response: The severity of the disaster prompted international concern and offers of assistance from many countries. Various nations, including Turkey, Algeria, Egypt, France, Italy, Qatar, Tunisia, and the United States, offered to send relief and rescue teams to aid Libya in coping with the crisis.
Derna Devastation: The city of Derna, with a population of around 100,000, was particularly hard hit by the floods. Multi-story buildings along the riverbanks collapsed, and homes and vehicles were swept away by the rushing waters. Derna suffered a significant loss of life, and rescue and recovery efforts were challenged by the scale of the disaster.
Humanitarian Concerns: Humanitarian organizations expressed deep concern about the situation. The Norwegian Refugee Council highlighted that entire villages were inundated, exacerbating the suffering of communities already affected by years of conflict, poverty, and displacement. Hospitals and emergency shelters were overwhelmed by the influx of flood victims.
Missing Persons: The number of missing people was a major concern, with estimates indicating that as many as 10,000 individuals might be unaccounted for. This added to the complexity of the disaster response and recovery efforts.
Infrastructure and Preparedness: There were mentions of failing infrastructure and the failure of rival governments in Libya to address these issues. Poorly maintained infrastructure and a lack of disaster preparedness measures can significantly worsen the impact of natural disasters like flooding.
International Assistance: The United Nations and various countries offered support, including medical teams, search and rescue teams, and supplies. The focus was on providing immediate relief to those affected and assisting with recovery efforts.
Economic Impact: The Libyan National Oil Company, a critical player in the country's economy, declared a "state of high alert" and suspended operations in the affected areas due to the floods. This could have economic repercussions in a nation already grappling with instability.
National Mourning: The Libyan government declared three days of national mourning to emphasize unity among Libyans in the face of this disaster.