More than 11 thousand people lost their lives and nearly 20 thousand people disappeared as a result of the flood in Libya Al Hadath Referring to the Libyan Red Crescent. Approximately two thousand bodies were carried to the sea.
Floods in the northeastern part of the country were caused by Hurricane Daniel, which hit Libya on September 10. The coastal cities of Derna, Jabal al-Akhdar and Benghazi were most affected by the disaster.
Airports and ports in the region were closed due to continuous rains. Authorities declared the cities of Susu and Derna, which were most affected by the disaster, as disaster areas.
The International Committee of the Red Cross in Libya has called on citizens and rescuers to be extremely careful as floods following the civil war that ended in 2020 led to the movement of explosive ordnance left in the eastern part.
Officials said the main dam in Derna had collapsed, destroying about a quarter of the city. Water currents swept all the buildings with sleeping families into the open sea. All communications are damaged, mobile communications and Internet are not working. The streets are covered in mud, full of uprooted trees and broken car parts.
“I came back from Derna. This is a disaster. “Bodies are lying everywhere – by the sea, in valleys, near buildings,” emergency committee member Hichem Shkiwat told Reuters by phone.
The internationally recognized government in Tripoli does not control the eastern regions. However, state rescue services are already operating in the area.
Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh called on the attorney general to investigate the causes of the disaster and determine whether there was negligence. He also said the government should deal with the consequences of the emergency within six months and provide shelter and medical care to the victims.
international aid
Russia has already stated that it is ready to help the Libyan people. “We share the pain and sadness of the friendly Libyan people. And of course, we are ready to provide the necessary assistance,” it was said. telegram President Vladimir Putin, posted on the Kremlin’s website.
Officials of some other countries, especially Egypt, Qatar, Iran and Italy, also stated that they were ready to help. in the United States statedIt is coordinating relief efforts with UN partners and Libyan authorities. Saudi Arabian officials promise Providing assistance in coordination with the Libyan Red Crescent and a number of international humanitarian organisations.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus promised that the organization will allocate $2 million to Libyans.
Former UN envoy to Libya Stephanie Williams has previously stressed that the disaster “requires an urgent increase in international and regional aid”.