At least 150 people have lost their lives as eastern Libya was hit by unprecedented floods caused by Storm Daniel. The storm, which had earlier unleashed torrential rains in Turkey, Bulgaria, and Greece, led to catastrophic flooding in the region.
Videos filmed by residents revealed the extent of the disaster, with massive mudslides, collapsed buildings, and entire neighborhoods completely submerged under muddy water.
According to Oussama Hamad, the Prime Minister of the east-based government, more than 2,000 people have lost their lives and thousands are still missing in the city of Derna alone. However, these figures have not been confirmed by medical sources or emergency services. Several other reports from different areas suggest significantly lower death tolls.
Mohamed Massoud, a spokesperson for Hamad’s Benghazi-based administration, reported that at least 150 individuals have perished due to the flooding and resulting torrential rains in Derna, the Jabal al-Akhdar region, and the suburbs of Al-Marj. He also highlighted the extensive damage inflicted upon public and private properties.
Rescue efforts are underway to locate and assist hundreds of remaining residents who are trapped in hard-to-reach areas. Unfortunately, nine soldiers involved in the rescue operations have lost contact with authorities.
Storm Daniel has been described by experts as an extreme weather event, with an exceptionally large amount of rainfall occurring within a 24-hour period. Its impact has been devastating in terms of the destruction caused.
The east-based government has declared Derna a “disaster area,” while the western government under Abdelhamid Dbeibah has announced three days of national mourning, emphasizing unity in the face of this calamity. The National Petroleum Company has declared a state of maximum alert and suspended flights between production sites. Consequently, oil production has been significantly reduced.
The situation in Derna has been described as catastrophic, requiring national and international intervention. The city has witnessed the collapse of four main bridges, two buildings, and two dams. Media footage shows a massive flood engulfing the city and causing severe damage to infrastructure.
The storm initially struck eastern Libya on Sunday afternoon, affecting the coastal town of Jabal al-Akhdar and Benghazi, where a curfew has been imposed and schools have been closed for several days.
The United Nations mission in Libya has expressed condolences and stands ready to support local authorities and municipalities in providing urgent humanitarian assistance. The French ambassador to Libya has also extended his solidarity and condolences to the Libyan people in this difficult time.
In neighboring Egypt, authorities have issued cautionary statements for the northern coast, which borders eastern Libya. Preparations are underway to minimize the impact of the storm, as the weather forecast predicts more heavy rain in the coming days.
As the global climate continues to warm, the risk of extreme weather events, including heavy precipitation and flooding, increases. Combined with factors such as urbanization and land-use planning, these events pose significant challenges and underscores the need for effective disaster response and mitigation strategies.