Devastating Storm, Floods Claim at Least 150 Lives in Eastern Libya

A devastating storm and heavy floods have hit the eastern Libyan city of Derna, causing massive destruction and claiming the lives of at least 150 people in the last two days.

Rabat – A devastating storm and heavy floods have hit the eastern Libyan city of Derna, causing massive destruction and claiming the lives of at least 150 people in the last two days.

Authorities fear that the death toll may rise to 250 as rescue and recovery efforts continue. The powerful storm, named Storm Daniel, has impacted several other cities in the region, including Benghazi, Sousse, Al Bayda, and Al-Marj.

Footage shared on social media shows harrowing scenes of people stranded on the roofs of their submerged vehicles during the storm.

Derna, located on the Mediterranean coast, approximately 250 kilometers east of Benghazi, suffered particularly severe consequences, with buildings collapsing and water levels reportedly reaching up to three meters.

Kais Fhakeri, the head of the Red Crescent in Benghazi, told Reuters, “We recorded at least 150 deaths after the collapse of buildings. We expect the death toll to rise to 250. The situation is very catastrophic.”

In addition to the loss of life and property damage, the storm has had economic repercussions. Four major oil ports in Libya, including Ras Lanuf, Zueitina, Brega, and Es Sidra, were closed for three days starting on Saturday evening, disrupting the country’s oil production, France24 reported.

Authorities in the affected areas have declared a state of extreme emergency, implementing measures such as closing schools and stores, and imposing a curfew to ensure the safety of residents.

Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, the prime minister of the interim government in Tripoli, declared three days of mourning for all affected cities, referring to them as “disaster areas.”

Although his administration has limited control in eastern Libya, al-Dbeibah pledged to direct state agencies to address the damage and flooding in the region.

The United Nations in Libya has expressed its concern and commitment to providing urgent relief assistance to support response efforts at local and national levels.