Derna, Libya, is facing a tragic disaster with the death toll rising to 11,300 due to a massive flood caused by the breaching of two dams during heavy rains. Marie el-Drese, the secretary-general of an aid group, reported that an additional 10,100 people are missing in the city, significantly higher than the initial estimate of 5,500 casualties.
The catastrophic flooding, triggered by a powerful Mediterranean storm named Daniel, impacted various towns in eastern Libya, but Derna suffered the most. Residents heard explosions as the dams collapsed during the storm, leading to floodwaters rushing through the city, destroying buildings, and causing loss of life.
A lack of a functional meteorological service and warnings contributed to the extent of the disaster. The World Meteorological Organization stated that warnings were issued 72 hours before the flooding, but there was a failure in notifying the public about the dams collapsing.
Libya’s ongoing conflict exacerbates the situation, as the country has been divided between rival governments for years, resulting in neglect of infrastructure. The dams outside Derna, built in the 1970s, had not been properly maintained despite allocated funds. Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah acknowledged the maintenance issues and called for an urgent investigation into the dams’ collapse.
Despite the political divisions, there has been a rare moment of unity as government agencies from across the country work to aid the affected areas. The western government allocated funds for reconstruction, and humanitarian aid is being sent to support the region.
