The mayor of Derna, Libya, has been arrested along with seven other local officials over accusations of mismanagement and negligence following the collapse of two dams that resulted in the deaths of thousands of people. The dams, which were meant to hold back water from a river flowing through the city, were not repaired due to the civil war that erupted after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Conflicting reports on the death toll range from 11,300 to over 10,000 missing individuals.
Storm Daniel caused widespread flooding in northeast Libya, particularly affecting the city of Derna. The disaster has resulted in approximately 5,000 casualties, 10,000 missing individuals, and 30,000 displaced. Other cities such as Benghazi, Bayada, Albayda, Shahat, and Sousse have also experienced severe damages. Rescue operations are ongoing in Derna, while assessments are being conducted to determine the extent of destruction and the needs on the ground.
Devastating floods in the Libyan city of Derna have left thousands dead and missing, with over 900 buildings destroyed and 400 buried under mud. Corruption and lack of maintenance on dams exacerbated the disaster, while the effects of climate change contributed to the unusually heavy rainfall. The city has turned into a near ghost town, with many residents leaving for bigger cities. Mental health support is urgently needed as survivors grapple with trauma and the psychological aftermath of the floods.
Libyan officials have imposed restrictions on media and aid groups in Derna, following protests over the government's response to devastating floods. Journalists and aid organizations have objected to the demands, expressing confusion and concern over limited access. The UN team was not authorized to proceed to Derna, while some reporters were asked to leave the city. Authorities claim that media personnel were only asked to clear the area to allow rescue teams to carry out their work. There are concerns that authorities may be trying to suppress news of dissent. Derna, controlled by Khalifa Hifter, was severely affected by the floods, with calls for evacuation due to health concerns. Communication in the area has also been disrupted.
Protests have erupted in the Libyan city of Derna, with demonstrators demanding the removal of officials following the collapse of two dams during torrential rain, resulting in widespread flooding and thousands of deaths. The citizens of Derna are now facing additional challenges, including waterborne diseases and displaced landmines. The protests mark the first large demonstrations since the disaster, as people seek accountability for the failure to prevent the dam breach. The anger is directed towards local authorities, with some calling for international organizations to investigate the cause. Libya's political conflict and long-standing power struggle exacerbate the country's vulnerability to extreme weather events.
The mayor's house in the Libyan city of Derna was set on fire during protests demanding answers for last week's devastating flood. The entire city council has been dismissed, internet and telephone access have been shut down, and journalists ordered to leave. Over 10,000 people are officially missing, with close to 4,000 deaths confirmed by the UN. Residents accuse officials of neglecting the dams and failing to warn them adequately. Libya's power struggles and poor dam maintenance, exacerbated by global warming, have turned extreme weather into a humanitarian disaster.
Hundreds of protesters in Derna, Libya, have expressed anger towards authorities and demanded accountability one week after a devastating flood killed thousands and destroyed neighborhoods. Protesters targeted officials, including the head of the Libyan parliament, Aguila Saleh, and set fire to the house of the former Derna mayor. The flood occurred when two dams outside the city failed during a storm. The death toll is still unknown, with thousands missing. Calls for an international inquiry and reconstruction under international supervision have been made. Critics have highlighted warnings about the city's vulnerability to floods and the need to maintain the dams.
Volunteers in Derna, Libya, are digging mass graves to bury the victims of devastating floods that have claimed the lives of close to 4,000 people, with thousands still missing. The overwhelmed city's hospitals and morgues were unable to cope with the influx of the dead, leading to a rush to bury the bodies to prevent infections and diseases. Visual identification became impossible, prompting officials to take DNA samples ahead of burials. Survivors are left traumatized and searching for their missing family members amid the rubble of ruined neighborhoods.
The death toll from unprecedented flooding in northeastern Libya has reached at least 11,300 people, with another 10,100 missing in the devastated city of Derna alone. Rescuers are searching for survivors amidst the rubble and wreckage caused by the flooding, while aid groups are working to provide essential supplies and medical assistance. The flooding has destroyed critical infrastructure, leaving nearly 300,000 children at risk of disease and malnutrition. Experts believe the disaster could have been prevented with proper dam maintenance and precautionary measures.
The death toll from floods in Derna, Libya has risen to 11,300, according to the United Nations. The lack of international assistance has forced Libyans to resort to desperate measures, such as pulling bodies with ropes tied around their waists.
The city of Derna in Libya has been devastated by floods, with bridges washed away, buildings destroyed, and a lingering smell of death in the air. The destructive power of the water has left the city resembling a barren wasteland, with cars and debris scattered everywhere. More than 1,000 people have been buried in mass graves, and thousands are still missing. Survivors are facing challenges such as a lack of clean water and medical care, while rumors of a full evacuation circulate. The floods have exposed the country's decimated infrastructure and political divisions.
The city of Derna in eastern Libya is facing a long recovery after being devastated by a flood. The search for missing individuals continues as more bodies are recovered from the sea. Entire districts have been swept away or buried in mud, with an estimated population of at least 120,000 affected. The International Organization for Migration has reported over 5,000 presumed deaths and thousands displaced. Aid efforts, including emergency supplies and medical assistance, are underway, but the situation remains tragic and complicated. The political divisions in Libya may hinder the aid effort.
A Maltese rescue team discovered hundreds of dead bodies on a beach in the flood-stricken Libyan city of Derna after heavy rainfall from Storm Daniel caused two dams to collapse. The bodies, believed to have been washed out to sea, were found by a four-person team inside a cave by the sea. The exact number of bodies is difficult to determine, but it is estimated to be around 400.
Survivors in Derna, Libya, describe the catastrophic scenes and tragic losses caused by the floods resulting from Storm Daniel. The death toll is estimated to be between 11,300 and 20,000, with many still missing. Aid efforts are hindered by damaged infrastructure and lack of access to power, water, and fuel. The floods have devastated the city, leaving survivors in need of jobs, care, and psychological support.
The death toll in Libya's coastal city of Derna has risen to 11,300, with an additional 10,100 people reported missing, following a massive flood caused by the breaching of two dams in heavy rains. The storm also killed about 170 people in other parts of the country. The flooding exposed the country's vulnerability and neglected infrastructure due to years of conflict. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with thousands of bodies being buried in mass graves, and search teams combing through wrecked buildings and the sea. International aid has started to arrive, including from neighboring countries and the United States.
