Authorities have said that more than 2,000 people were killed and thousands more are reported missing in eastern Libya. Storm Daniel has brought so much rain to the northeast, that two dams have collapsed in one region, sweeping entire neighborhood into the sea.Storm Daniel sweeps Libya, over 2000 feared deadRead @ANI Story | https://t.co/8e5TIYRQ1Q#StormDaniel #Libya #Floods pic.twitter.com/lu43QLWMTg— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) September 12, 2023Details on Libya flood According to Ahmed Mismari, the spokesperson for the Libyan National Army (LNA) that controls eastern Libya, the disaster was caused after dams over the Derna River collapsed causing widespread damage to life and destruction while “sweeping whole neighbourhoods with their residents into the sea”.Mismari has said that the number of missing persons range between 5000-6000 people. “As a consequence, three bridges were destroyed. The flowing water carried away entire neighborhoods, eventually depositing them into the sea,” he said. He further added that seven members of the LNA had died in the flood.However, the source for the number of deaths was not mentioned by Mismari, as per media records. Moreover, the Red Crescent in Benghazi earlier on Monday estimated 150 to 250 people are dead in Derna.The floods have affected several cities, including Al-Bayda, Al-Marj, Tobruk, Takenis, Al-Bayada, and Battah, as well as the eastern coast all the way to Benghazi, said Mismari.While speaking to a media house, the head of Libyas Emergency and Ambulance authority, Osama Aly, said that after the dam collapse, “all of the water headed to an area near Derna, which is a mountainous coastal area.” he also added that homes in valleys were washed away by strong muddy currents carrying vehicles and debris.Rescue operations also got complicated as phone lines in the city are also down, said Aly.“Libya was not prepared for a catastrophe like that. It has not witnessed that level of catastrophe before. We are admitting there were shortcomings even though this is the first time we face that level of catastrophe,” Aly further added.International help for LibyaLibya is at the moment politically divided between east and west. The public services have also crumbled since an uprising took place in 2011 against Muammar Gaddafi with NATO backing it. The internationally recognised government in Tripoli does not control eastern areas.The three-person Presidential Council, functioning as head of state in divided Libya has asked the international community to help saying “We call on brotherly and friendly countries and international organisations to provide assistance.”“The United Nations in Libya is closely following the emergency caused by severe weather conditions in the eastern region of the country,” said the United Nations Support Mission in Libya in a post on X.The United Nations in Libya is closely following the emergency caused by severe weather conditions in the eastern region of the country. We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and our thoughts for all people affected. pic.twitter.com/KahuA1P4g9— UNSMIL (@UNSMILibya) September 11, 2023Several nations have also offered their condolences and sent aid to Libya as rescue teams are trying to find survivors under the debris and rubble.According to media reports 150 search and rescue personnel, along with tents, rescue vehicles and other supplies such as generators will be mobilized as mentioned by Turkeys disaster agency.The US Embassy in Libya also shared its concern for the country on X and said that it was in “close contact with the United Nations and with authorities in Libya to determine how quickly we can bring assistance to bear where it is most needed.”We are in close contact with the United Nations and with authorities in Libya to determine how quickly we can bring assistance to bear where it is most needed.— U.S. Embassy – Libya (@USEmbassyLibya) September 11, 2023
