Death toll in Libya's floods soars to 6,000, thousands still missing

Local authorities fear that this number could rise significantly as thousands remain unaccounted for in the wake of the catastrophe.

Reports from local media confirm that at least 6,000 lives have been lost in Derna due to heavy rains and the ensuing floods, which left a path of destruction in its wake. With an equally distressing number of residents still missing, the grim toll may continue to climb.

Amid the dire situation, the Libyan Ministry of Health is contemplating the possibility of temporarily evacuating all residents from Derna. A ministry representative cited concerns about the potential outbreak of epidemics, given the lack of adequate burial facilities for the flood victims.

Survivor hopes are dwindling, with little optimism for finding those still missing among the city's residents. Meanwhile, Abdul Hamid al-Dbeibeh, the head of Libya's Government of National Unity (GNU), revealed the extent of the flood disaster, spanning an area of 300 kilometers.

Dbeibeh emphasized that official data regarding the casualties would not be released until search and rescue operations conclude and the final figures are presented to him. While the country currently has enough food and medicine to support the victims, it faces a shortage of experts trained in search and rescue operations.

The dire situation extends to the need for boats to search for those missing at sea and recover the bodies of flood victims along the coastal region, according to Dbeibeh.

The catastrophe unfolded when Hurricane Daniel struck northeastern Libya on September 10, unleashing severe storms and thunderstorms that inundated cities along the Mediterranean coast.

Homes, hospitals, and critical civilian infrastructure were submerged, with the city of Derna in the Cyrenaica region suffering the most. Two dams collapsed, resulting in catastrophic flooding, and authorities report that 25 percent of Derna has been destroyed by the floods.

The nation now grapples with the colossal loss of life and property, while rescue and recovery efforts continue in earnest. (ILKHA)