The Libyan city of Derna is facing a dire situation as it grapples with catastrophic flooding. Thousands of individuals are missing, and the search has entered its third day.
Tragically, thousands have already been confirmed dead, and the death toll is expected to climb as the situation unfolds.
A strong storm led to a flood in Derna, Libya, as it broke nearby dams, releasing a massive flood of water. This flood has caused severe damage to at least a quarter of the city, sweeping away both buildings and the people living in them.
Officials in eastern Libya have reported a death toll exceeding 5,000 due to the devastating flood. According to a hospital director in the city, as of Monday, 1,700 bodies had been accounted for in his hospital, and an additional 500 had been laid to rest in another area of the city.
Around 10,000 people are currently missing, with many feared to have been swept into the sea due to the flood in Derna. On Tuesday, Reuter’s journalists witnessed a grim scene in the city, with numerous bodies placed on the ground in hospital hallways. Grieving families desperately tried to identify their missing loved ones as additional casualties continued.
During an impromptu press conference on Tuesday, the head of the Libyan Red Crescent and Red Cross Federation simultaneously announced that the number of missing individuals in this catastrophic flood has now reached 10,000.
On the other hand, the Red Crescent Society has identified 20,000 families as flood victims and emphasized the urgent need for assistance in Libya.
Meanwhile, Eastern Libya witnessed a deadly flood incident on September 10th, primarily affecting the cities of Benghazi, Al-Bayda, Marj, and Derna. However, the city of Derna suffered the most significant casualties due to this natural disaster.
Reports indicate that the rainfall in eastern Libya has reached its highest levels in the past 40 years.
