This massive flood of biblical proportions is likely one of the most deadly of modern history. At this time, it is estimated that 11,300 deaths have been reported in eastern Libya after water ripped through the region. Perhaps the most shocking part of this tragedy is that officials are saying it could’ve been avoided.
Marie el-Drese, secretary general of the Libyan Red Crescent, said that 10,100 are missing and city officials fear the death toll could reach 20,000. Search teams are still uncovering bodies and mass graves are being dug to bury them due to Islamic tradition.
As fears grow of a potential outbreak of disease from rotting bodies washing up on shore, it is becoming increasingly clear that better warning systems could have saved lives.
Libya has just experienced the deadliest flood of the 21st Century, with 7,000 confirmed dead.
In the city of Derna, home to 90,000 people, up to 20,000 are feared dead.
25% of the city is estimated to be destroyed after two dams collapsed due to extreme rainfall.
Imagery via… pic.twitter.com/TyVdbl1jbM
— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) September 13, 2023
Access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities is vital right now in order to prevent a further crisis within a crisis. More than 7,000 residents were wounded by the deluge and around 30,000 people from Derna are displaced according to the International Organization for Migration, a U.N. agency.
Satellite imagery has shown the sheer scale of destruction wrought by these floods; 25% of the city was completely destroyed or washed away according to one government official’s estimate.
The United Nations’ weather and climate agency said Thursday, September 14 that most of these deaths could have been avoided if more warnings had been issued by authorities beforehand. Petteri Taalas from WMO told reporters in Geneva that “They could have issued the warnings and the emergency management forces would have been able to carry out the evacuation of the people, and we could have avoided most of the human casualties” which would likely have saved many lives.
One day before storm Daniel hit Libya, Derna’s mayor declared a state of emergency during a news conference but an emergency committee formed by the eastern government’s Interior Ministry instead ordered curfews instead – despite warnings from WMO 72 hours prior.
Drone footage released by Libya's Al-Ahrar TV on Tuesday showed the extent of flood damage in the city of Derna.
Storm Daniel, which hit eastern Libya over the weekend, caused dams to collapse and triggered floods that killed at least 2,000 https://t.co/s0s7OWTPg7 pic.twitter.com/VbP9p93hP7
— Bloomberg (@business) September 14, 2023
As some seek to find who is responsible for this disaster unfolding in eastern Libya, those affected must now face a humanitarian crisis as well as search for answers.
Fear is rising concerning waterborne diseases spreading throughout the area with over 30,000 people displaced according to IOM – a U.N agency working on migration issues. Rescue teams from Egypt and Tunisia alongside those from Turkey and Italy are helping with what they can while rubble is cleared away round-the-clock by Tripoli Public Services Company staff members divided into three teams: one to remove rubble trapping victims; one to pump out standing water; and one to reopen paths blocked by fallen buildings or cars swept away by floods.
The task ahead is huge but both governments involved are reaching out for help internationally in order to put an end to this terrible tragedy as quickly as possible.