![Rescuers and relatives search for bodies of the flood victims at the Corniche of the city of Derna [Abdulaziz Almnsori/AP Photo]](https://titapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Libya-3.webp)
The search for missing individuals in the aftermath of the devastating floods in Libya’s city of Derna continues as bodies continue to wash up on its shores. A week after Storm Daniel triggered catastrophic floods in the country’s east, the death toll in Derna alone has risen to 11,300, according to a report by the United Nations. The Libyan Red Crescent, cited in the report, also stated that 10,100 people are still missing in the devastated city.
Rescue and search teams are tirelessly working to find survivors, and these figures are expected to increase in the coming days and weeks. International aid has started to arrive, with the United Nations and countries from Europe and the Middle East offering relief to the survivors. The aid includes essential medicines, food, tents, blankets, hygiene kits, heavy machinery to clear debris, and body bags for the deceased.
The situation in Derna remains dire, with bodies continuing to wash up on the city’s shores and debris scattered across the area. The search-and-rescue operation is complex and challenging, and hopes of finding survivors are diminishing as more bodies are discovered. The flooding in Derna was exacerbated by the poor infrastructure in Libya, which has been in turmoil since the overthrow and killing of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The devastating floods resulted from the collapse of two dams south of Derna, causing torrents of floodwater to sweep away entire districts and bury them in mud. The city, with an estimated population of at least 120,000, was caught off guard by the catastrophe. Many residents have lost their homes and loved ones, and the psychological toll is significant.
The international community has responded to the crisis by providing aid and support. The UN has launched an appeal for $71 million to assist those affected by the floods. The World Health Organization has flown in emergency aid, including essential medicines and supplies for surgery, to reach nearly 250,000 people in eastern Libya. Saudi Arabia and Russia have also sent aid flights to the region.
Rescue and reconstruction efforts face challenges due to the divided administration in Libya. The country is currently run by two administrations, one based in Tripoli and another in the east. Renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar, who supports the eastern administration, visited Derna and allowed aid convoys from the rival government to enter the city.
The presence of landmines, a result of the ongoing civil war, poses additional challenges for aid delivery. The disturbance caused by the floods may have displaced and obscured the location of these landmines, making the situation even more dangerous.
As the search for missing individuals continues and the death toll rises, there are concerns about the risk of contaminating water sources and the mental distress experienced by families of the deceased. The National Centre for Disease Control in Libya has stated that there is little risk from the corpses unless they are carrying diseases. However, cases of diarrhea have increased due to people drinking polluted water.
The focus now remains on providing immediate relief to the affected population, conducting search and rescue operations, and addressing the long-term challenges of reconstruction and recovery in Derna.