In eastern Libya, search and rescue operations are underway following a devastating flood caused by Storm Daniel, impacting several cities including Derna, Benghazi, Sousse, Al-Marj, and Bayda. Derna’s Mayor Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi expressed concerns that the death toll from the flood could potentially reach between 18,000 and 20,000 individuals. He emphasized the urgent need for specialized teams to recover bodies to prevent potential epidemics due to the presence of numerous corpses in the flood’s aftermath.
The flood in Derna was triggered by the collapse of two dams, releasing over 30 million cubic meters of water into the city. The Libyan National Unity Government reported a death toll of 6,000, while the Red Cross indicated that 10,000 people are currently missing.