Libya is hit by catastrophic floods
Libya hit by catastrophic flooding 00:25
The devastating flood in Libya wreaked havoc in the Mediterranean coast city of Derna and elsewhere in the North African country, destroying buildings, tearing up roads and crashing cars into everything in its path.
A storm system that devastated three countries last week forced dams to collapse in Libya and triggered unprecedented flash flooding in a river valley.
Thousands of people died in the disaster, which an official from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies compared to the powerful earthquake that struck Morocco late last week.
An Interior Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday that the death toll in the city of Derna alone from flooding from Mediterranean storm Daniel had exceeded 5,300.
A man stands next to a damaged car in Derna, Libya, after a strong storm and heavy rains hit the country, September 12, 2023. Portal/Esam Omran Al-Fetori
The fatalities also include three Red Crescent volunteers who were killed while helping families displaced by the floods, the IFRC chief said posted on social media.
One man told Portal that 30 of his relatives had died in the disaster.
“Most people were sleeping. Nobody was ready,” Mostafa Salem told the outlet.
Men walk past rubble of buildings caused by flash floods in Derna, eastern Libya, September 11, 2023. AFP via Getty Images
Eastern Libya’s civil aviation minister Hichem Abu Chkiouat told Portal: “There are bodies everywhere – in the sea, in the valleys, under the buildings.”
People look at the damage caused by unusual flooding in Derna, eastern Libya, on September 11, 2023. AFP via Getty Images
The region’s health minister, Othman Abduljaleel, told the Associated Press that some victims may have been swept out to sea.
“We were stunned by the extent of the destruction… the tragedy is very significant and beyond the capacity of Derna and the government,” Abduljaleel said.
People look at the damage caused by unusual flooding in Derna, eastern Libya, on September 11, 2023. AFP via Getty Images
Overturned cars lie among other debris caused by flash floods in Derna, eastern Libya, on September 11, 2023. AFP via Getty Images
A boy pulls a suitcase past debris in a flash flood-damaged area in Derna, eastern Libya, on September 11, 2023. AFP via Getty Images
An area damaged by flash floods is seen in Derna, eastern Libya, on September 11, 2023. AFP via Getty Images
People are stuck on a street after a fierce storm and heavy rains hit the city of Shahhat in Libya, Sept. 11, 2023, in a photo taken by a drone. Portal/Ali Al Saadi
Floods cover the area after Al-Mukhaili, Libya, was hit by a violent storm and heavy rains on September 11, 2023 (see photo). Libya Al-Hadath/Handout via Portal
Floods cover the area after Al-Mukhaili, Libya, was hit by a violent storm and heavy rains on September 11, 2023 (see photo). Libya Al-Hadath/Handout via Portal
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