The Libyan Red Crescent announced on Thursday that the number of victims from the recent floods in the city of Derna in eastern Libya has risen to 11,300, with search efforts still ongoing. The director-general of this relief group told the Associated Press in a phone call that 10,100 more people are still missing in this coastal city. Meanwhile, officials in Derna stated on Thursday that thousands of the recent flood victims have been buried in mass graves. Earlier, the mayor of Derna had said that the death toll could triple. The flood on Sunday night worsened with the breaking of two dams, sweeping entire families away. The oil-rich country of Libya has been mired in internal conflicts since the uprising in 2011 that led to the overthrow of long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Daniel, an unusually severe Mediterranean storm, caused deadly flooding in cities across eastern Libya, but Derna suffered the worst damage. Residents reported hearing loud explosions as the two dams outside the city collapsed. A UN official said on Thursday that if a regular meteorological service had been in place in Libya, further casualties could have been prevented. The World Meteorological Organization based in Geneva announced earlier this week that the National Meteorological Center issued warnings 72 hours before the flood and informed all government officials via email and through the media.
Death Toll from Libya Floods Exceeds 11,000; UN: It Could Have Been Prevented
The death toll from catastrophic floods in Derna, Libya, has reached over 11,000, with more than 10,000 still missing. The disaster was exacerbated by the failure of two dams and has raised concerns about inadequate meteorological services that could have mitigated the impact. This event highlights the ongoing instability in Libya since the 2011 uprising.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Severe flooding in Derna, Libya, has resulted in over 11,000 deaths and more than 10,000 people missing after two dams collapsed. The disaster was worsened by inadequate meteorological services that could have provided timely warnings.
- The flood was caused by the breaking of two dams during a severe storm.
- The UN indicated that better meteorological services could have mitigated the disaster.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Libya has faced ongoing conflict and governance challenges since the fall of Gaddafi, leading to weakened infrastructure and emergency services.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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