More than 11,000 people were killed and nearly 20,000 remain missing after floods affected Libya, according to the Libyan Red Crescent. Authorities report that around 2,000 bodies were swept into the sea.
The flash floods hit the northeastern regions as Hurricane Daniel moved through on September 10, impacting coastal cities including Derna, Jabal al-Akhdar, and Benghazi the hardest.
Airports and ports in the area were shut down due to persistent rainfall. Officials designated Susu and Derna as disaster zones in response to the devastation.
The International Committee of the Red Cross in Libya has urged extreme caution from residents and rescuers. The floods, following the country’s 2020 civil conflict, have left many explosive ordnance in the eastern area, creating additional risk for relief work.
Officials reported the collapse of a major dam in Derna, which damaged about a quarter of the city. Strong currents carried sleeping residents into the sea. Communications networks, including mobile service and the internet, are disrupted, and streets are buried under mud with fallen trees and wrecked vehicles scattered around.
One survivor described the scene after returning from Derna, saying the city faced a total disaster with bodies found along the shoreline, in valleys, and near buildings. Emergency services described the widespread devastation as they coordinate relief responses from nearby regions.
The internationally recognized government based in Tripoli does not control the eastern regions, though state rescue teams are active in the affected areas. Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh urged the attorney general to investigate the disaster and determine if any negligence occurred. He also called on the government to address the emergency impacts within six months, providing shelter and medical care to victims.
international aid
Russia has stated its willingness to assist the Libyan people, expressing condolences and readiness to provide necessary support (attribution: Kremlin statements). Officials from several countries, including Egypt, Qatar, Iran, and Italy, have offered help. The United States is coordinating relief efforts with UN partners and Libyan authorities. Saudi Arabia is organizing aid in cooperation with the Libyan Red Crescent and other international humanitarian organizations (attribution: government statements).
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pledged a $2 million contribution to Libyans in need (attribution: WHO). Former UN envoy to Libya Stephanie Williams has emphasized that the disaster requires an urgent increase in international and regional aid (attribution: Williams statements).