Administrative officials in the city of Derna in eastern Libya said on Tuesday, September 12, that about a quarter of the city has been destroyed following the collapse of several dams during a severe storm. The Red Cross also announced that there are fears that around 10,000 people may be missing across the country due to flooding caused by the storm named 'Daniel.' The head of a delegation from the 'International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' confirmed that, based on estimates from independent sources, the number of missing persons so far is 10,000. At least 1,000 bodies have been found in the coastal city of Derna, which has a population of 125,000, and officials expect the death toll to be significantly higher. A Reuters reporter states that cars are overturned on the sides of the roads in Derna, trees are uprooted, and residents have fled their flood-affected homes. This natural disaster comes at a time when Libya is politically divided between eastern and western regions, and public service structures have been fragmented since a NATO-backed uprising in 2011. The Tripoli government, recognized by international circles, does not control eastern Libya but has sent aid to Derna. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department issued a statement expressing condolences to those affected by the devastating floods in Libya. The statement adds that the United States is coordinating with its partners in the United Nations and Libyan officials on how to assist ongoing relief efforts.
Storm and Flood in Libya; 10,000 People Missing
A severe storm in Libya has led to the collapse of dams, resulting in significant destruction in the city of Derna and leaving around 10,000 people missing. The Tripoli government, although not in control of the eastern regions, is sending aid, while the U.S. expresses condolences and offers to assist in relief efforts. This disaster highlights the ongoing political instability in Libya.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
A severe storm named 'Daniel' caused the collapse of dams in Derna, Libya, leading to significant destruction and an estimated 10,000 people missing. The disaster has prompted humanitarian responses from both the Tripoli government and international organizations.
- About a quarter of the city of Derna has been destroyed.
- At least 1,000 bodies have been recovered, with fears of a much higher death toll.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Libya has been politically divided since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011, leading to a lack of cohesive governance and infrastructure challenges.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 90%