Libya Storm: Hichem Abu Chkiouat, the minister of civil aviation in the local administration, reported that the death toll has surpassed 5,300, with expectations that this grim number may rise significantly.
In eastern Libya, a devastating storm wreaked havoc, causing a tragic loss of life and widespread destruction. The powerful storm unleashed torrential rains, breaching dams above Derna, a city along the Mediterranean. This catastrophe led to the inundation of entire neighborhoods and the loss of thousands of lives, with countless more individuals still unaccounted for.
Tragically, the sea continues to wash ashore numerous bodies. Hichem Abu Chkiouat, the minister of civil aviation in the local administration, reported that the death toll has surpassed 5,300, with expectations that this grim number may rise significantly, possibly even doubling, due to the high number of missing persons.
The extent of the disaster left tens of thousands of people homeless, prompting a plea for international aid. Eastern Libya lacks the necessary experience to manage the aftermath of such a calamity, and the situation remains dire.
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Officials express deep concern, estimating that at least 10,000 individuals are either missing or deceased, although the confirmed count of casualties varies. Tariq Kharaz, a spokesperson for the eastern authorities, disclosed that 3,200 bodies have been recovered, with 1,100 still awaiting identification.
In Derna, a local hospital struggled to cope with the tragedy. Scores of bodies, wrapped in blankets, were laid out in corridors and even on pavements for residents to attempt identification.
The devastating impact of the storm is evident in the words of Mustafa Salem, who tragically lost 30 members of his extended family in homes near the river valley, opposite a mosque. He recounted that no one was prepared for the catastrophe, as people were asleep when disaster struck.
The United Nations migration agency, the International Organization for Migration, reported that at least 30,000 people have been displaced in Derna, highlighting the scale of the humanitarian crisis in the wake of this devastating storm.
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The devastating scene above Derna bore witness to the city’s transformation, as its densely populated center, situated along a seasonal riverbed, now resembled a vast, flat expanse of land. Sunlight glistened on stretches of muddy water, with every building swept away in the wake of the disaster.
As Reuters made its way back to the city on Wednesday, the horizon revealed the arrival of aid convoys and trucks transporting bulldozers, poised to assist in the recovery efforts.
Comparing satellite images before and after the catastrophe unveiled a stark change. The narrow waterway that once meandered through the city had become a wide scar, with all the buildings that once lined its banks vanished. Other parts of the city had also succumbed to the relentless force of the floodwaters.
Rescue operations faced considerable challenges due to Libya’s deep-seated political divisions. The nation, home to 7 million people, has grappled with a lack of a strong central government and intermittent conflicts since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that led to the downfall of Muammar Gaddafi.
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The internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) was based in Tripoli, situated in the west, while a parallel administration operated in the east, including Derna. Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, headquartered in Tripoli, referred to the floods as an unprecedented catastrophe, and Libya’s Presidential Council head, Mohammed al-Menfi, called for national unity in the face of the disaster.
The tragic loss of life extended beyond Libya’s borders, with dozens of Egyptian migrants among the storm’s victims. Their remains were transported to Beni Suef, located approximately 110 kilometers (68 miles) south of Cairo, as reported by Egyptian media.
Several governments, including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, swiftly dispatched aid to Libya. Italy’s defense ministry announced the deployment of two military planes carrying firefighters and emergency rescue personnel, along with a navy ship.
The United Arab Emirates also offered assistance, sending two aid planes laden with 150 tonnes of critical food, relief supplies, and medical aid to eastern Libya, according to the UAE’s state news agency WAM.
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