Thousands of people are feared dead after a powerful storm triggered a devastating flood in Libya.
Jalel Harchaoui, a Libya specialist, told the BBC that the death toll caused by the flood could reach as many as “several thousand” people. The Libyan Red Cross also said that at least 150 homes had been destroyed.
“The missing are in the thousands, and the dead exceed 2,000… entire neighborhoods in Derna have disappeared, along with their residents … swept away by water,” says Eastern Prime Minister Osama Hamad to Libyan television channel.
Storm Daniel made landfall on Sunday, prompting authorities to declare a state of extreme emergency. Officials in the east imposed a curfew, causing four major oil ports, schools, and shops to close. The eastern cities of Benghazi, Sousse, Derna, and Al-Marj were all affected.
Red Crescent humanitarian network said at least 150 deaths had occurred in Derna which is home to approximately 100,000 people. The two dams in Derna had collapsed, submerging much of the area and drowning some residents.
Consequently prompting authorities to declare the port a “disaster city”.
Climate scientists have warned that global warming meant more water would evaporate during the summer, leading to more intense storms.
On Monday, Egypt’s meteorological organization also reported that rainclouds had multiplied over the northwestern coast.
