10,000 Missing in Libya as Military-Supported Rescue Teams Mobilize
In the wake of the devastating floods in Libya, more than 300 bodies have been recovered in the heavily affected city of Derna alone. The government fears the death toll could exceed 2,000, while the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent estimates that 10,000 people are missing.
According to Tamer Ramadan, an official from the organization, there could be “thousands” of casualties. “Based on our independent information, we can confirm that the number of missing persons stands at approximately 10,000.” In Derna, rescuers have already discovered at least 300 bodies, according to the Libyan Red Crescent. The news agency Reuters reported over 1,000 deaths in Derna alone, citing Hichem Chkiuat, the Minister of Aviation of the Eastern government.
Ossama Hamad, the Prime Minister of the Eastern government, previously stated that they anticipate over 2,000 fatalities in Derna, where flooding caused by Storm “Daniel” led to dam breaches and the destruction of entire neighborhoods.
Hamad, who leads one of the two rivaling governments in Libya, explained that many residents were likely swept away by the floodwaters when two dams collapsed. Health Minister Othman Abduldschalil added that additional victims are likely buried under debris. The government has declared the area a disaster zone.
Residents of Derna have shared videos on social media showing the immense devastation. Along the banks of the Wadi Derna River, entire residential blocks have been torn away. Multi-story buildings that were once situated at a considerable distance from the river have partially collapsed and are buried under a layer of mud.
The exact number of casualties remains unclear. According to the Libyan portal “Babwat Al-Wasat,” over 300 bodies have already been buried in mass graves in Derna. Health Minister Abduldschalil stated in an interview with Al-Massar TV that it remains challenging to determine the precise number of fatalities and missing persons. “The bodies were scattered in many areas of the city of Derna, which was isolated for several hours due to the erosion of many roads and building collapses,” he explained.
An international intervention is necessary, Abduldschalil continued, as the city is inaccessible. The situation is far worse than initially anticipated. The Chief of the Presidential Council, Mohamed al-Manfi, has appealed for assistance from “brotherly and friendly countries” and international organizations on the online platform Facebook.
The European Union has offered help to Libya, with Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic stating that they are prepared to support their partners on the ground immediately. Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, expressed a similar sentiment.
Turkey has also pledged assistance, with the government sending three planes carrying search and rescue teams, two search and rescue vehicles, and two rescue boats, according to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The rescue team, consisting of members of the Gendarmerie, the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), and NGOs, comprises 168 individuals. Erdogan added that tents, blankets, and supplies are also being sent.
In addition to Derna, reports of flooding have emerged from the coastal region of Jabal Al-Achdar, including the cities of Al-Bayda and Susah, as well as the more western region of Al-Marj. The port city of Benghazi is also affected, prompting a curfew and the closure of schools.
Storm “Daniel” swept over Libya on Sunday, with the government in the capital city of Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbaiba, describing it as the heaviest rainfall in over 40 years. Authorities have reported that hundreds of people in hard-to-reach areas have been cut off from the outside world.
Military-supported rescue teams are making efforts to reach those affected. The eastern region of Libya is home to the country’s largest oil fields and port terminals for oil exports. In response to the floods, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) has raised the alert level to its highest and significantly reduced oil production activities.
Following the overthrow of longtime ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi in 2011, Libya plunged into a civil war. In this oil-rich North African state, numerous militias continue to vie for influence. Currently, two rival governments, each with a presence in the east and west, are fighting for power. All diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict have thus far failed. The involvement of foreign states has further added fuel to the conflict.