A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Libya as devastating floods, triggered by Storm Daniel, have left at least 30,000 people displaced, with officials warning of a rising death toll. In the country’s eastern region, authorities have reported the recovery of 5,300 bodies, and the number of fatalities is expected to increase significantly.
The town of Derna has been the hardest hit by the floods, which have caused widespread destruction. As a result, officials are urgently appealing for international assistance, emphasising that Libya lacks the necessary experience to manage a disaster of this magnitude.
The flooding in Libya was primarily caused by the effects of Storm Daniel, which unleashed severe damage to roads and telecoms networks on Sunday. The storm brought with it strong winds and sudden heavy rainfall, devastating the town of Derna and its surrounding areas.
Hichem Abu Chkiouat, the minister of civil aviation in the administration governing eastern Libya, revealed that the sea has been continually depositing dozens of bodies. He stressed that the process of reconstruction would require billions of dollars in funding.
Residents of Derna reported hearing loud explosions as dams outside the city collapsed during the height of Storm Daniel. The floodwaters surged down the river Wadi Derna, which originates in the mountains, flows through the city, and empties into the sea. Waves as high as seven meters (23 feet) wreaked havoc, destroying everything in their path.
Yann Fridez, head of the delegation of the International Committee for The Red Cross in Libya, described the situation as “enormous” in terms of human toll. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to recover bodies scattered throughout the city, often found amidst rubble and debris.
Survivors and volunteers have joined the search and rescue efforts, with the grim task of placing bodies in the garden of a local hospital before conducting mass burials in the city’s only intact cemetery.
