Flooding in Libya, triggered by the Mediterranean storm Daniel, has left a staggering toll of devastation in its wake. Prime Minister Ossama Hamad of the east Libyan government has grimly stated that an estimated 2,000 people are feared dead in Derna. At the same time, thousands remain missing in the aftermath of this natural disaster.
The deluge caused by storm Daniel wrought havoc in multiple coastal towns along Libya’s eastern coast, leading to the sweeping away of entire neighborhoods and the destruction of countless homes. Derna, in particular, bore the brunt of this catastrophe, its already fragile infrastructure unable to withstand the relentless force of the floodwaters. The city’s plight was exacerbated by its tumultuous history, having once been under the control of Islamic extremists during Libya’s prolonged period of chaos.
The nation remains fractured, with two rival administrations vying for control, each backed by militias and foreign powers. As of late Monday, the confirmed death toll across the country stood at 61, according to health authorities. However, this figure does not include Derna, which had become inaccessible due to the disaster. Many of the thousands missing are believed to have been carried away by the torrents.
Videos circulated online by residents of Derna painted a harrowing picture of the aftermath. Entire residential areas were obliterated along a river that cuts through the city center. Multistory apartment buildings that once stood safely distant from the river had partially collapsed into the mire.
In a phone interview with Al Masar television, Prime Minister Ossama Hamad confirmed the fearsome toll of 2,000 feared dead in Derna, with thousands more unaccounted for. Derna was declared a disaster zone in the wake of this tragedy. During a press conference, Ahmed Mosmari, a spokesperson for the country’s eastern-based armed forces, reported a death toll exceeding 2,000 in Derna, with 5,000 and 6,000 individuals reported missing. The catastrophe was attributed to the collapse of two nearby dams, unleashing a lethal flash flood.
Since the 2011 uprising that toppled Moammar Kadafi, Libya has grappled with a lack of central governance, resulting in lawlessness, dwindling infrastructure investment, and minimal oversight of private construction. Derna and Surt were previously controlled by extremist groups, including those pledging allegiance to the Islamic State, until their expulsion by forces loyal to the eastern-based government in 2018.
Additional casualties were reported in various towns across eastern Libya, with at least 46 people confirmed dead in Bayda, seven in Susa, seven in Shahatt, and one in Marj. Tragically, the Libyan Red Crescent reported the loss of three of its workers in Derna, and one worker was unaccounted for while attempting to aid a stranded family in Bayda. Dozens more were reported missing, with authorities fearing they had succumbed to the floodwaters that ravaged multiple towns.
In Derna, the situation grew increasingly dire, with no access to electricity or communication. Interior Minister Essam Abu Zeriba of the east Libya government estimated that over 5,000 people were missing in Derna, with many swept toward the Mediterranean. He urgently appealed for local and international agencies to assist the beleaguered city.
Georgette Gagnon, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Libya, expressed deep sorrow over the devastation caused by storm Daniel, calling for immediate humanitarian aid and support from local, national, and international partners to assist those in eastern Libya.
The U.S. Embassy in Libya also indicated its readiness to work with the U.N. and Libyan authorities to deliver aid to the hardest-hit areas. Over the weekend, disturbing videos on social media depicted flooded houses and roads in various parts of eastern Libya, with trapped residents pleading for assistance.
Prime Minister Ossama Hamad declared Derna a disaster zone and announced three days of mourning, ordering national flags to be flown at half-staff. Commander Khalifa Hifter, who controls eastern and western Libya, deployed troops to aid residents in Benghazi and other affected eastern towns. Tragically, five soldiers assisting besieged families in Bayda lost contact with their units.
Several foreign governments, including the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Algeria, Egypt, and Iraq, extended their condolences and support to Libya during this trying time. Storm Daniel’s impact was expected to grow into western Egypt, prompting meteorological authorities to issue warnings about possible rain and adverse weather conditions on Monday.
