Benghazi – In a devastating turn of events, eastern Libya has been struck by a catastrophic flood that has left a trail of destruction and loss of lives in its wake. Authorities report that at least 2,000 people have tragically lost their lives, while thousands remain missing after a massive flood wreaked havoc in the city of Derna. The calamity unfolded following heavy storms and torrential rainfall.
Ahmed Mismari, the spokesperson for the Libyan National Army (LNA), which holds sway in eastern Libya, revealed in a televised news conference that the disaster was triggered by the collapse of dams located upstream from Derna. These dam failures unleashed a deluge of water that “swept whole neighborhoods along with their residents into the sea.” Mismari further estimated that the number of missing individuals could range from 5,000 to 6,000.
In response to the catastrophe, the three-person Presidential Council, which functions as the head of state in this divided nation, has appealed to the international community for assistance. The council stated, “We call on brotherly and friendly countries and international organizations to provide assistance.”
Osama Hamad, the head of a parallel eastern-based administration, confirmed the devastating toll, with more than 2,000 reported dead and thousands missing.
Storm Daniel, which had already wrought havoc in Greece the previous week, made its way across the Mediterranean, causing widespread flooding in Derna and affecting other coastal settlements, including Libya’s second-largest city, Benghazi.
Videos and images from Derna depict a vast torrent coursing through the city center, replacing what was once a much narrower waterway. Buildings lay in ruins on either side. Almostkbal TV, based in eastern Libya, broadcast footage showing stranded individuals on the roofs of their vehicles, desperately calling for help as their cars were swept away.
Osama Hamad, speaking to al-Masar TV, painted a grim picture, stating, “The missing are in the thousands, and the dead exceed 2,000. Entire neighborhoods in Derna have disappeared, along with their residents, swept away by water.” Tragically, seven members of the LNA lost their lives in the flood.
Residents who managed to escape the disaster recounted harrowing experiences. Saleh al-Obaidi revealed that he and his family had narrowly escaped, but houses in a nearby valley had collapsed. He stated, “People were asleep and woke up to find their homes surrounded by water.” Another resident, Ahmed Mohamed, added, “We were asleep, and when we woke up, we found water besieging the house. We are inside and trying to get out.”
Witnesses reported that the water level reached an astonishing three meters (approximately 10 feet). To the west of Derna, visuals displayed a collapsed road between the port town of Sousse and Shahat, home to the UNESCO-listed archaeological site Cyrene.
In response to the catastrophe, Libya’s eastern-based parliament declared three days of mourning. Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, prime minister of the interim government in Tripoli, also declared three days of mourning across all affected cities, designating them as “disaster areas.”
The impact of the disaster has also reverberated in Libya’s oil industry, with four major oil ports – Ras Lanuf, Zueitina, Brega, and Es Sidra – temporarily closing for three days.
Search-and-rescue operations are currently underway, as authorities have declared a state of extreme emergency, leading to the closure of schools, stores, and the imposition of a curfew.
In Tripoli, the interim government has directed all state agencies to take immediate action to address the damage and flooding in eastern cities, despite its limited influence in the eastern region. Nevertheless, the government collaborates closely with the Central Bank of Libya, which disburses funds to government departments nationwide.
The United Nations in Libya has pledged to closely monitor the situation and provide urgent relief assistance to support response efforts at both local and national levels. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has also instructed the government to send aid to the affected areas in eastern Libya, as reported by Qatar’s state news agency.