Rising From the Ashes: Unyielding Hope Empowers Derna Amidst Grief

Following the devastating floods in Derna, Libya, there were reports of miraculous survival stories. These stories included a six-year-old boy rescued from a third-floor balcony, a father rescuing his daughter by placing her in a refrigerator, and an infant found alive floating in the water. Although these accounts cannot be verified, they provide a glimmer of hope for people seeking some form of solace.

The torrential rainfall and the subsequent collapse of two dams resulted in widespread flooding in the coastal city on September 10. Entire neighborhoods were swept into the Mediterranean, leading to a staggering death toll of approximately 4,000 people, as reported by the World Health Organization. Additionally, roughly 9,000 people remain missing, and it is believed that they have perished. However, many still hold onto the hope that their loved ones may have somehow survived, even though their bodies may be trapped beneath debris or lost at sea.

Local and international rescue teams scan the sea for washed up bodies.

Sarah El Sirgany, a journalist from CNN, reported that Abu Bakr, filled with hope, discovered a photograph on social media depicting a child who bore a striking resemblance to his nephew, leading him to believe that his family members hadn't succumbed to the devastating flood. Motivated by this discovery, Abu Bakr embarked on an arduous journey, visiting various field hospitals and displaced persons' shelters, delving into a desperate search for his missing loved ones.

Schools-turned-shelters in Derna have individuals' names listed on their doors to assist individuals like Abu Bakr. Every day, a continuous stream of people visit different shelters, hoping to locate a familiar name on the lists.

During the initial chaotic days, survivors, the injured, and those displaced were relocated to other cities in eastern Libya. Many individuals lost their phones, and with disrupted mobile networks, it became challenging for survivors to contact their families. Countless bodies were laid to rest in mass graves without any visual identification, and authorities were only able to collect DNA samples from recovered bodies several days after the floods occurred. Officials estimate that it could take up to a year before these bodies are exhumed for identification purposes.

"My family believed I had perished, prompting them to offer their sympathies," recounts Karima El-Kilany, aged 62, during an interview with CNN. Following the inundation of their residence, her husband held onto a collapsed ceiling until their neighbors came to their rescue. According to El-Kilany, it took several days for her to access Facebook and come across the heartfelt eulogies composed for both her and her spouse.

Piles of cars and trees brought by the water block streets in Derna.

Sarah El Sirgany/CNN

Seated on a mattress within a converted school theater serving as a shelter for those displaced, a woman finds herself in a challenging situation. Beside her sits Salma, a teacher and mother of four, caring for her 17-year-old daughter who is both unwell and traumatized.

Salma, who only willingly disclosed her first name and consented to being captured on film with her face covered, finds it challenging to come to terms with her new reality. Expressing her concerns, she muses, "Perhaps I am overly cautious. There are 30 families residing in this room," as she describes the difficulties she faces in sterilizing the mattresses on which her children sleep. "It's not easy to suddenly have all your neighbors inside your home. Just imagine that. If you raise any issues, you only invite suspicion."

Salma expresses her desire to wake up one day and discover that the city remains intact. She yearns to reunite with the residents and particularly her mother. Salma recounts her heartbreaking losses - her mother, brother, and sisters. Despite the despair, she embarked on a search for her mother, meticulously going through names, yet with no success. Nevertheless, Salma maintains a glimmer of hope.

In a shelter nearby, Salem el-Naas, a member of the Libyan Red Crescent, sifts through numerous messages on his phone from strangers seeking their loved ones. They send him names, pictures, and intricate details. Overwhelmed with the influx of messages, Salem has no choice but to activate flight mode on his phone while noting the valuable information he receives.

The tide turns

The progress made in these endeavors was hindered by a recent decline in the availability of mobile network coverage. Just as hundreds of protesters were demanding transparency and responsibility on Monday, a two-day service disruption ensued. Authorities attributed this blackout to an infrastructure failure caused by excavators accidentally damaging a fiber optics cable.

Grief has transformed into fury, much like the relentless sea reclaiming the homes and livelihoods devoured by its depths. An increasing number of residents now find themselves questioning the negligence and mismanagement responsible for the catastrophic collapse of the two dams. On the streets, protesters fervently chant against Agilah Saleh, the speaker of the eastern-based parliament, who aligns himself with the Libyan National Army (LNA) that asserts control over the city.

A satellite image shows the town of Derna in the aftermath of the floods in eastern Libya on Wednesday.

Maxar Technologies/Reuters

Aging dams and ignored warnings: The deadly flood catastrophe in Africa was the result of a deadly combination of factors.

This week witnessed a decline in the unity that had momentarily brought together a nation torn apart by ten years of war. Representatives of the government based in the east expressed growing apprehension about "infiltrators" from the internationally recognized government in the west, as well as "extremist groups" exploiting the aid convoys entering the city. Multiple officials from the Libyan National Army (LNA) informed CNN that at least twelve men were detained in Derna.

According to activists, numerous residents and protesters were detained. Mohamed Eljarh, spokesperson for the Supreme Committee of Emergency and Response, highlighted in a press conference on Friday that although there is still political division, the presence of relevant institutions on the ground is crucial, regardless of their location. Eljarh emphasized the need to overcome political divides within the community.

The municipal council was disbanded, and the emergency committee convened a meeting with Derna representatives to involve them in the decision-making process, as stated by Eljarh during his announcement on Friday. Eljarh also explained to CNN that this approach was adopted to address the prevailing anger, grievances, and concerns.

Staying put

As the CNN team departed on Wednesday, the once bustling city, teeming with rescuers, journalists, visiting diplomats, and volunteers offering assistance from all parts of Libya, noticeably dulled in activity. Concerns mounted among officials regarding the potential spread of infections, particularly in regions where corpses are thought to be entangled beneath layers of mud and debris.

Close to 60 local recovery workers were admitted to the hospital on Tuesday, experiencing symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. According to the minister of health of the eastern-based government, these infections are commonly observed in similar situations. The minister reassured that there is currently no indication of the spread of an endemic within the city.

Local teams spray damaged streets with chemical disinfectants following warnings about a secondary health crisis.

Sarah El Sirgany/CNN

Over the course of the week, excavators cleared pathways for vehicles amidst the rubble as local health workers diligently sprayed strong disinfectants on the damaged buildings and streets.

Although city officials denied issuing city-wide evacuation orders, certain areas were cordoned off and access to the city was restricted. Only a select few regional and international networks, such as CNN, were granted permission to remain for a few additional days.

Despite the devastating floods, residents of the remaining standing buildings in the streets were determined to stay in their homes. Individuals like Salma, who lost their homes, expressed their desire to remain in the city, relying on the assistance of international aid organizations for temporary housing.

"In 2018, we attempted evacuation. I was forced to leave my home and neighborhood for two years, experiencing the hardships that accompany displacement. I paid a significant price, yet received no compensation," explains Moftah Al-Hanshiry. The scars from previous wars and conflicts that Derna witnessed over the past decade still mark his building.

Fueled by a deep-seated mistrust of local politicians and leaders, he asserts that he will only depart from his residence if a reputable organization such as the World Health Organization mandates it. Otherwise, he unequivocally declares, "I would prefer to perish than evacuate."