Devastating Floods Claim Over 2,300 Lives in Eastern Libya

In a tragic turn of events, eastern Libya has been struck by unprecedented flooding caused by Mediterranean Storm Daniel, resulting in the loss of more than 2,300 lives in the coastal city of Derna alone. Officials have recovered the bodies of over 1,000 victims from the ruins, with an estimated 10,000 people still missing in the wake of this catastrophe. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has reported three of its volunteers lost their lives while assisting flood victims.

Hichem Chkiouat, the minister of civil aviation and a member of the emergency committee for the administration in eastern Libya, described the scene as disastrous, with bodies strewn across the city, in the sea, valleys, and under collapsed buildings. He emphasized that nearly 25% of the city had seemingly disappeared, with countless structures reduced to rubble. The disaster was attributed to the collapse of two nearby dams, unleashing a deadly flash flood on the city.

The devastation has not been limited to Derna alone, as other towns in eastern Libya, including Bayda, have also been affected. As emergency responders continue their arduous work, residents are grappling with the aftermath of this catastrophic flooding, further highlighting the urgent need for assistance in a nation already ravaged by years of conflict and crumbling infrastructure. International aid, including support from countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, is pouring in, while the United States and the United Nations are coordinating efforts to provide much-needed relief to the affected regions.

This devastating flood, one of the worst in recent memory, serves as a grim reminder of the challenges faced by Libya, a nation still grappling with the legacy of its tumultuous past and ongoing divisions between rival administrations.

Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright