A devastating flood has struck Libya's eastern city of Derna, leaving a quarter of the city in ruins and an estimated 10,000 people missing, as per the local administration and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The catastrophe, caused by dams bursting during a powerful storm named Storm Daniel, has added to the long list of woes faced by this conflict-torn nation.
The disaster has unfolded against the backdrop of over a decade of conflict, political instability, and crumbling public services since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising. The eastern region of Libya, where Derna is situated, operates under a separate administration from the internationally recognized government based in Tripoli.
Reports from the ground indicate that the death toll is already devastatingly high, with at least 1,000 bodies recovered in Derna alone. Officials fear that the final count will be much higher as search and rescue operations continue. Hichem Abu Chkiouat, the Minister of Civil Aviation and a member of the emergency committee in the eastern administration, spoke of the extensive destruction, stating;
"The number of bodies recovered in Derna is more 1,000. I am not exaggerating when I say that 25% of the city has disappeared. Many, many buildings have collapsed."
The situation in Derna is dire, with vehicles overturned along roads, trees uprooted, and houses submerged by floodwaters. Videos circulating on social media show a wide torrent cutting through the city's center after the dams burst, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Tamer Ramadan, the head of the IFRC delegation, reported via video link from Tunisia that the number of missing persons has risen to a staggering 10,000.
"We can confirm from our independent sources of information that the number of missing people is hitting 10,000 so far," Ramadan said.
Convoys of aid and assistance are en route to Derna to provide support to the affected population. The internationally recognized government in Tripoli, despite its lack of control over eastern areas, has dispatched aid to Derna. Relief flights have been mobilized, including one from the western city of Misrata, carrying much-needed supplies and personnel.
In response to the disaster, several countries, including the United States, have expressed their commitment to providing assistance. The international community is rallying to help Libya during this dire time of need.
As Libya grapples with the aftermath of the catastrophic floods, the true extent of the damage and the human toll is still unfolding. The country faces yet another daunting challenge as it strives to recover from this natural disaster amid its ongoing struggle for stability and peace.
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