Tragic Tragedy Unveiled: Shocking Death Toll and Mysterious Discoveries in Derna's Flood Zone
Devastating floods in Derna, Libya claim over 11,300 lives, with severely decomposed bodies discovered in the sea Ongoing search operations anticipate further victims UN report reveals alarming death toll
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the death toll in the eastern coastal city of Derna in Libya has now reached at least 11,300 due to severe flooding. Additionally, outside of Derna, an additional 170 individuals have lost their lives as a result of the flooding. Despite ongoing search efforts, it is anticipated that more victims will be discovered.
And in Derna alone, at least 10,100 people remain missing.
"These figures are expected to rise as search-and-rescue crews work tirelessly to find survivors," it added.
The city of Derna was split into two after floodwaters swept through entire neighborhoods.
Sarah Sirgany/CNN
More than 40,000 people have been displaced across northeastern Libya since the extreme rainfall brought by Storm Daniel, the UN says.
Experts assert that the destructive effects of the storms were significantly intensified due to a deadly convergence of factors, encompassing deteriorating and outdated infrastructure, insufficient early warnings, and the consequences of the rapidly escalating climate emergency.
Volunteers in hazmat suits scan the sea for dead bodies in Derna, Libya.
Sarah Sirgany/CNN
Derna valley was once a 'paradise.' Now there's nothing left but devastation
Derna, the epicenter of the disaster, was split into two after flood waters swept entire neighborhoods.
It had a population of around 100,000 before the tragedy.
At least 30,000 people have been displaced in Derna alone, the UN said.
A car is half burried following floods in Derna, Libya, on September 16.
OCHA stated that as flood waters have shifted landmines and Explosive Ordnance of War (ERW), the risk of exposure to these hazards has increased with the thousands of displaced people on the move.
Severely decomposing bodies in the sea
The flooding caused by Storm Daniel puts almost 300,000 children at a higher vulnerability to cholera, malnutrition, diarrhea, and dehydration. Additionally, the report states that these children also confront heightened risks of violence and exploitation.
Rescue teams are sifting through the debris of collapsed structures and scouring the sea in their efforts to recover bodies, as the chances of finding survivors diminish. International rescue missions have reported that the majority of deceased individuals are located in the water, prompting urgent appeals for additional resources and assistance to retrieve the corpses from the Mediterranean.
"Bodies may have undergone significant decomposition, reaching a state where retrieval could become impracticable," stated a Tunisian mission representative during a meeting alongside counterparts from Russia, Arab nations, Turkey, and Italy.
An aerial view of destroyed houses in Derna after a powerful storm and heavy rainfall hit Libya, September 16, 2023.
Zohra Bensemra/Reuters
The representative emphasized the need for assistance to enhance the efficiency of our intervention. Mission representatives from Egypt and the UAE reported discovering bodies in the Mediterranean's bays and coves, often located in remote areas that can only be reached by boat.
Teams from the Algerian mission discovered approximately 50 bodies near a cliff, located about seven nautical miles away from the Derna port. However, accessing the area requires the use of divers and boats. In response, the Egyptian representative stated, "By obtaining suitable boats, we will be able to recover around 100 bodies on a daily basis."
Dead bodies are also trapped under piles of mud in still occupied residential areas in Derna and could trigger a health crisis if areas are not evacuated, teams warned.
