In Northeastern Libya two dams collapsed due to heavy rainfall, inundating already flooded regions on the night of September 10.
Libya floods struck Derna and other parts of eastern of the country. According to Libya’s eastern government’s interior ministry, at least 5,100 people have lost their lives.
Death toll may escalate, with reports of around 10,000 individuals still missing.
Rescue workers in the devastated Libyan city of Derna have appealed for more body bags, after a catastrophic flood killed thousands of people and swept many out to sea.
Rescue teams have arrived from Egypt, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Qatar, mayor al-Ghaithi said. Turkey is also sending a ship carrying equipment to set up two field hospitals and 148 medical staff to help with the rescue efforts. The UK on Wednesday announced an initial aid package of up to £1m.
According to Libya’s National Meteorological Centre, early warnings were issued for Storm Daniel, an “extreme weather event,” 72 hours prior to its occurrence. It had recorded a record 414.1 millimeters (16.3 inches) of rain in Bayda from September 10 to 11.
The death toll in the city could reach 18,000 to 20,000 based on the number of districts destroyed by the flood, Al-Ghaithi told Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television.