Storm Daniel Wreaks Havoc: 150 Dead in Libya’s Deadly Floods
A savage storm and catastrophic floods have slammed eastern Libya, killing at least 150 people in the city of Derna alone. The Red Crescent in Benghazi confirmed water levels in Derna surged up to 10 feet, drowning homes and streets in misery.
Death Toll Expected to Rise as Rescue Efforts Continue
Kais Fhakeri, head of the Red Crescent in Derna, warned the grim toll could hit 250. “Dozens remain missing,” he said, as desperate search and rescue missions race against time. The merciless waters trapped residents on rooftops and vehicles, desperate for safety.
“We were asleep, and when we woke, water was everywhere, surrounding our house. We’re stuck inside and trying to escape,” said Ahmed Mohamed, a shaken Derna resident.
Storm Daniel Ravages Multiple Cities
- Derna – 150+ dead, many missing
- Bayda – at least 12 dead
- Susa – 7 confirmed casualties
- Shahatt and Omar al-Mokhtar – 7 fatalities
- Al-Marj – 1 death trapped in vehicle
The Libyan Red Crescent lost contact with a volunteer helping a trapped family in Bayda, intensifying fears for the missing. Seven soldiers from the Libyan National Army (LNA), which controls eastern Libya, are also unaccounted for.
Devastation Sparks Mourning and Emergency Response
Footage shows crushed cars, collapsed roads, and ruined infrastructure, including damage near the UNESCO-listed Greek city of Cyrene. Libya’s eastern parliament declared three days of mourning. Tripoli’s interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah also called for three days of mourning in all affected areas, labelling them “disaster zones.”
Vital oil ports — Ras Lanuf, Zueitina, Brega, and Es Sidra — remain closed for three days, slashing Libya’s key oil exports.
Authorities have declared a state of extreme emergency, imposing curfews with schools and shops shut as rescue efforts press on. Despite limited control in the east, PM Dbeibah ordered all state bodies to respond immediately. The United Nations pledged urgent aid to help Libya battle this devastating crisis.
