Thousands of residents in Derna, a coastal city in eastern Libya, faced sudden displacement as catastrophic floods surged after the passage of a powerful storm named Daniel. Reports indicate that about 30,000 people were uprooted, and the disaster left a grim toll that authorities and international agencies continue to document. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been central in assessing the impact, noting that Derna bore the brunt of Daniel’s force and that the flooding was exacerbated by the collapse of two dams along the Mediterranean coast. The event set off a chain reaction of destruction, inundating neighborhoods and severing essential routes, while emergency teams worked to reach affected families and secure aid for survivors.
According to IOM assessments, Derna has emerged as the most affected town in the region, with heavy rainfall triggering infrastructure failures and widespread damage. The city’s road network was severely disrupted as many routes were blocked by floodwaters, debris, and collapsed structures, impeding humanitarian access and complicating relief operations. In some areas, bridges linking parts of the Derna River collapsed, further isolating communities and heightening concerns for residents in low-lying zones who face ongoing flood risk.
As a result, officials highlighted a landscape of destruction that includes damaged homes and disrupted utilities. The scale of the crisis has prompted urgent calls for shelter, food, water, and medical supplies, while authorities and aid workers stress the fragility of communications in the affected region. IOM has emphasized that the loss of electrical power and telecommunications has hampered coordination and outreach, complicating efforts to locate people who may be unaccounted for and to organize timely aid deliveries.
Beyond Derna, the broader affected area witnessed additional displacement figures in places such as Al Baida, where hospitals operated at reduced capacity, and in Al Mjelei and Benghazi, where thousands more people were displaced. The cumulative effect of these movements is a multi-city humanitarian challenge that requires sustained support from regional partners and international organizations.
Estimates from eastern Libyan authorities pegged the overall death toll at several thousand, with some sources suggesting higher figures as the full scope of the disaster became clearer. In Tripoli, officials from the unity government provided alignments on casualty numbers, while independent outlets reported even higher counts as assessments continued. The situation on the ground remains dynamic, with ongoing search and rescue efforts and the occasional discovery of additional casualties amid the chaotic aftermath.
Authorities noted that coastal waters in Derna intermittently carried bodies along with floodwaters, underscoring the severity of the inundation and the need for rapid humanitarian response. The disaster has displaced tens of thousands and prompted urgent prioritization of safe shelter, healthcare access, and the restoration of critical infrastructure to prevent further loss of life.
In response to the devastation, international actors introduced relief packages and pledged support. A notable commitment from the United Nations included a ten million dollar aid package aimed at providing immediate relief and supporting longer-term recovery efforts in Libya. This assistance seeks to address urgent needs such as shelter, water, sanitation, and medical supplies, while also laying groundwork for resilient recovery and risk reduction in the future.
Daniel’s impact reached beyond Libya, with neighboring countries in the region affected by heavy rains and related disruptions in the preceding days. Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey reported fatalities as the storm’s influence extended across the eastern Mediterranean, compounding regional humanitarian concerns and highlighting the interconnected nature of climate-driven disasters.