Death Toll Rises To 2,300 After Flooding In Libya

Tragedy struck Libya as catastrophic flash floods wreaked havoc, causing the loss of at least 2,300 lives, with thousands more reported missing and entire neighborhoods left in ruins. The disaster unfolded as river dams burst, unleashing a torrent of water that engulfed an eastern coastal city. In response to the dire situation, numerous nations offered immediate assistance and rescue teams to aid Libya, a nation already grappling with the aftermath of war and instability. One UN official characterized the catastrophe as "a calamity of epic proportions." The devastation unfolded in the city of Derna, situated along the Mediterranean coast, home to approximately 100,000 residents. The torrents of water demolished multi-story buildings lining the riverbanks, causing houses and vehicles to vanish in the deluge. Initial reports from emergency services revealed a staggering death toll of over 2,300 in Derna alone, while more than 5,000 individuals remained unaccounted for, and approximately 7,000 were injured. Osama Ali, a member of the Tripoli-based Rescue and Emergency Service, expressed the urgency of the situation, stating, "The situation in Derna is shocking and very dramatic. We need more support to save lives because there are people still under the rubble, and every minute counts." The flash floods were triggered by torrential rains brought by Storm Daniel, which made landfall in Libya following its devastating path through Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Derna, located 250 kilometers (150 miles) east of Benghazi, saw its topography transformed by the powerful waters. What is usually a dry riverbed in the summer became a raging torrent of muddy water, which also swept away several major bridges. The death toll reported by the Libyan emergency service aligned with the grim estimates from the Red Cross and eastern authorities, who cautioned that the number of casualties could rise further. Tamer Ramadan of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies conveyed that their independent sources indicated over 10,000 people were missing. As the nation grapples with this disaster, Libya's east has been particularly hard-hit. The Norwegian Refugee Council reported that "entire villages have been overwhelmed by the floods, and the death toll continues to rise." This catastrophe compounds the challenges faced by communities in Libya, already enduring years of conflict, poverty, and displacement. Hospitals and shelters are expected to be overwhelmed in the wake of the disaster.