A powerful storm named Daniel has unleashed havoc in eastern Libya, causing widespread flooding and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The Red Crescent in Benghazi has confirmed the deaths of at least 150 people in the city of Derna, with fears that the death toll will rise significantly as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
![People stand in a damaged road as a powerful storm and heavy rainfall flooded hit Shahhat city, Libya, September 11, 2023. [Omar Jarhman/Reuters]](https://titapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Libya-300x200.jpg)
The impact of Storm Daniel has not been limited to Derna. Other cities in eastern Libya, including Benghazi, Susa, Bayda, and al-Marj, have also experienced significant damage and loss of life. In the eastern town of Bayda, at least 12 people have been reported dead, according to the town’s main medical center. The coastal town of Susa has witnessed the loss of seven lives, as confirmed by the Ambulance and Emergency Authority. Additionally, the towns of Shahatt and Omar al-Mokhtar have reported seven fatalities each.
The geographic setting of Derna, completely surrounded by mountains, played a significant role in the extent of the devastation. Malik Traina, a correspondent for Al Jazeera reporting from Tripoli, explained that the collapse of dams resulted in the dumping of over 30 million cubic square meters of water into the city. Heartbreaking images of entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble have started to emerge, painting a grim picture of the destruction caused by the storm.
The Red Crescent in Benghazi, through its head Kais Fhakeri, confirmed the death toll of at least 150 people in Derna. However, the prime minister of the self-proclaimed government in eastern Libya, Osama Hamad, expressed concerns that the number of fatalities could be much higher, surpassing 2,000. The exact sources for this estimate were not provided.
The Derna municipal council has reported that the collapse of two dams contributed to the unprecedented rise in water levels, exacerbating the devastation caused by Storm Daniel.
As rescue and recovery operations continue, the focus remains on locating survivors, providing aid to affected communities, and assessing the full extent of the damage caused by this catastrophic event. The international community stands ready to support Libya in its efforts to overcome this tragedy and rebuild the affected regions.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives in this devastating natural disaster.