Unveiling the Untold Devastation: Unprecedented Loss in Libya's Fatal Floods
Thousands lost their lives and many are still missing after a devastating flood struck northeast Libya As emergency teams continue their search and rescue efforts, questions arise about the affected areas, aid distribution, and the possible role of climate change
Rescue teams are currently searching for survivors and recovering bodies following a severe flood that struck northeastern Libya three days ago. The catastrophe has tragically claimed the lives of at least 11,000 individuals, while another 10,000 remain unaccounted for. Videos captured by eyewitnesses and shared on social media depict the aftermath of the floods, revealing the wreckage of fallen roofs and scattered cars amidst the ruins of demolished infrastructure.
Satellite images revealed extensive damage to buildings in Derna, the city most affected by the disaster. The shores of this coastal city displayed significant erosion, likely caused by the powerful combination of water and sand.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the death toll in Derna now stands at 11,300, surpassing the previously estimated number. Additionally, approximately 170 fatalities were reported outside of Derna. The UN report further disclosed that a staggering 10,100 individuals are currently missing within Derna alone.
Local rescue teams are currently engaged in ongoing efforts to locate the missing individuals, as reported by state media. The United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya disclosed on Wednesday that over 30,000 individuals have been displaced. Distressed relatives of the missing have expressed their fear and concern, while those who have been informed about their families' tragic destiny feel utterly devastated.
A resident of the eastern city of Tobruk informed CNN that his in-laws and their entire family perished in the flooding in Derna. Emad Milad expressed his grief for the loss of eight lives and described the situation as a catastrophic disaster, while also mentioning that he and the community are hoping for improved circumstances.
Libya has been engulfed in political unrest since the outbreak of civil war in 2014, resulting in the emergence of two competing governments - the parliament-backed government based in Benghazi and the internationally recognized government situated in Tripoli.
Both entities have provided contradictory figures regarding the casualties resulting from the devastating floods in the country. CNN is unable to authenticate the reported number of fatalities or the individuals who are still missing.
Heres what we know so far:
Where did the flood hit?
The northeastern region of Libya, located on the Mediterranean coast, was severely affected by the flood. The city of Derna, situated around 300 kilometers (190 miles) east of Benghazi, the country's second-largest city, suffered the most devastation. With a population of approximately 100,000 people, Derna has suffered significant damage. Authorities report entire neighborhoods have been swept away, and emergency response teams have stated that hospitals are no longer able to function. Morgues are overwhelmed, and deceased bodies have been left on the sidewalks outside, according to Osama Aly, spokesperson for Libya's Emergency and Ambulance Service, speaking to CNN on Tuesday.
The flooding was also exacerbated by the collapse of two dams, which sent water rushing towards Derna, authorities said Tuesday.
Whos in control in Libya?
Due to its lack of a unified government and the presence of two rival administrations in a political stalemate, Libya is highly susceptible to the consequences of natural disasters. This situation arises from a civil war that commenced in 2014 and left the country in a state of constant turmoil after the NATO-backed uprising in 2011, which ousted the long-standing dictator, Muammar Gaddafi.
Presently, two opposing factions are in a struggle to gain power over the nation. The Government of National Unity (GNU), backed by the United Nations and headed by Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, is based in Tripoli in northwestern Libya. Meanwhile, commander Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army (LNA) support the eastern-based parliament led by Osama Hamad, forming the rival faction.
A man sits on a damaged car, after a powerful storm and heavy rainfall hit eastern Libya, on Tuesday.
Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters
Derna and the surrounding cities hit by the flood fall under the control of Haftar and his eastern government, which isnt recognized by the international community.
Climate forecasts had issued warnings days prior to the storm hitting Libya, according to analysts. However, it was noted that authorities in the eastern region did not respond promptly enough.
Analysts further acknowledged that the unsatisfactory reaction was a result of Libya's unpreparedness in dealing with natural disasters. Major General Ahmed Al-Mismari, the spokesperson for the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), acknowledged this lack of preparedness on Tuesday.
Whats happening with aid?
Al-Mismari emphasized that the capabilities of Libya and the eastern authorities fall short in managing such extensive devastation. He stated during his interview with Al-Arabiya TV on Tuesday that a minimum of three distinct expert rescue teams are indispensable.Several countries have said they are sending humanitarian aid to Libya, including Egypt, the UAE, Turkey, Italy and Algeria.
People walk past the body of a flash flood victim in the back of a pickup truck in Derna, eastern Libya, on Monday.
AFP/Getty Images
'We were aware in advance': A decade of upheaval has left Libya ill-equipped to handle natural calamities.
Dealing with rescue operations and the distribution of international assistance is made even more challenging due to the political divisions in Libya. Nations have to make the difficult choice of whether to provide aid to the capital or Haftar's rival administration in Benghazi.
Most countries have sent their aid to Benghazi, the nearest major city to Derna and its surrounding areas. Algeria, on the other hand, has sent its aid to the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, which is approximately 1,000 miles away.
Tamer Ramadan, the head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Libya, stated on Tuesday to CNN that the existence of rival governments in Libya does not impact their operations. "We maintain a positive relationship with officials from both governments," he stated.
How did the flood happen and what role did climate change play?
The severe rains that have caused widespread destruction in Derna and other cities in northeastern Libya are a consequence of an extremely powerful low-pressure system. This system had previously caused devastating floods in Greece and then moved towards the Mediterranean, eventually transforming into a medicane - a cyclone with tropical characteristics.
As planet-warming emissions cause ocean temperatures worldwide to skyrocket, the Mediterranean is experiencing temperatures significantly higher than usual. This surge in temperature, according to scientists, has contributed to the intense precipitation of the storms.
Flooding in the city of Derna, in eastern Libya on Tuesday.
Jamal Alkomaty/AP
According to Karsten Haustein, a climate scientist and meteorologist at Leipzig University in Germany, although no formal attribution study has been conducted, it is evident that storm Daniel has been intensified by the unusually high temperatures of the Mediterranean Sea surface throughout the summer. Haustein also stated that not only does the warmer water contribute to increased rainfall intensity, but it also enhances the overall fierceness of these storms.
