At least 150 people were killed in heavy storms and flooding in Libya on Monday, according to the Red Crescent. The government in the east of the country fears an even worse catastrophe and expects thousands of deaths.
The Prime Minister of one of the rival governments in the civil war country, Osama Hammad, told the Al-Massar television channel on Monday that more than 2,000 people were feared dead. Thousands more people in the country with almost seven million inhabitants are missing.
“Situation is catastrophic”
Storm “Daniel” hit Libya on Sunday, flooding parts of the cities of Benghazi, Susse, Al Bayda, Al-Marj and Derna. “The situation is very catastrophic,” Kais Fhakeri, head of the Red Crescent in Benghazi, told Reuters.
The water is three meters high
Videos have been published on social networks showing people taking shelter from the floods in their homes or vehicles and waiting for help (see tweet below). “We were sleeping and when we woke up we found that the water had surrounded the house. We are in the house and trying to leave it,” Ahmed Mohamed, a resident of Derna, described the situation to reporters by phone. According to eyewitness accounts, the water in the coastal town was up to three meters high. Therefore, rescue efforts were underway.
Authorities have declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew. Schools and shops are closed. The United Nations said it was preparing relief efforts.
Two governments are fighting each other
Civil war broke out in Libya in 2011 after the fall of former ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi. Numerous militias are still fighting for influence in the oil-rich state. Two hostile governments, each with one seat in the east and one in the west, are currently vying for power. All diplomatic attempts to resolve the conflict peacefully have so far failed. The conflict is further fueled by foreign states.
The government in the capital Tripoli under Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbaiba spoke of the heaviest rainfall in more than forty years.
The UN humanitarian coordinator in Libya, Georgette Gagnon, called on the international community to provide rapid assistance. “Initial reports indicate that dozens of towns and cities have been severely affected by the storm,” Gagnon wrote on Twitter.
Dams broken
According to the emergency services, the northeast was mainly affected. According to the municipal authorities, the situation in the city of Derna had “gotten out of control”. It is said that two dams have burst there. The city was declared a disaster area. According to the emergency service, rescue measures were sometimes difficult. They depend on helicopter support. Power and internet connection are interrupted.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
