Over 2,000 Dead and 10,000 Missing in Eastern Libya After Devastating Floods Caused by Storm Daniel

Eastern Libya is reeling from the catastrophic aftermath of Storm Daniel, with more than 2,000 confirmed fatalities and an additional 10,000 individuals registered as missing, according to the Libyan Red Crescent’s report on Tuesday.

Health Minister Othman Abdul-Jalil expressed grim expectations, stating that the death toll could ultimately rise to 10,000 as he urgently called for assistance for the city of Derna, situated approximately 150 miles east of Benghazi along the Mediterranean coast. Derna has a complex history, with the region seeing the presence of Islamic State militants after the NATO-backed coup that ousted the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. These militants were subsequently expelled by the Libyan National Army, as reported by the BBC.

Ossama Hamad, Prime Minister of the East Libyan government, told the Associated Press that they fear at least 2,000 people have already perished due to the devastating floods.

The floodwaters inflicted extensive damage on the region, with over a quarter of the city of Derna severely affected. Dams were breached, buildings were washed away, and the disaster extended its impact to Benghazi, Susa, and Al-Marj.

Hichem Abu Chkiouat, Minister of Civil Aviation, confirmed to Reuters that over 1,000 bodies have been recovered within Derna. His harrowing description of the situation emphasized the scale of the catastrophe, stating, “It is very disastrous. Bodies are lying everywhere – in the sea, in the valleys, under the buildings.” Chkiouat is also a member of the emergency committee within Libya’s eastern administration.

Tamer Ramadan, Libya’s envoy for the Red Crescent Societies, underscored the severity of the situation during a virtual press briefing, noting that the colossal death toll is expected to reach into the thousands in the coming days. He compared the situation to the recent earthquake in Morocco that claimed more than 2,800 lives.

The floods had a devastating impact on multiple villages and towns, causing widespread flooding, damage to infrastructure, and significant loss of life, as stated by Georgette Gagnon, the U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya.

Videos circulated on social media platforms depicted the destruction left in the wake of the floods, with buildings demolished along the Wadi Derna River, where two dams had collapsed. Apartment blocks were submerged in floodwaters, and vehicles were swept away.

International Assistance: Several countries, including Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, have extended offers to support rescue and humanitarian aid operations following this disaster. The U.S. State Department, through spokesperson Matthew Miller, confirmed coordination with Libyan authorities and the U.N. to provide aid for relief efforts.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi convened military leaders to facilitate humanitarian aid efforts, including the deployment of rescue teams, essential equipment, and shelters for those affected.

Turkey dispatched three military planes equipped with rescue teams and emergency supplies to Libya to provide immediate assistance.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed its readiness to support Libya, stating, “Türkiye is ready, as always, to provide all kind of support needed to brotherly Libya in the face of this natural disaster.”