TRIPOLI: The death toll from disastrous flooding in Libya’s eastern Derna city has soared to 11,300, according to an update from the United Nations on Saturday, citing the Libyan Red Crescent. Additionally, an alarming 10,100 people remain missing in the ravaged city of Derna.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expressed deep concern about the ongoing situation, as search-and-rescue teams tirelessly work to locate survivors. The catastrophe was triggered by Storm Daniel, which struck northeastern Libya nearly a week ago, leaving the city of Derna in a state of profound distress.
The humanitarian crisis in Derna has been exacerbated by severe drinking water shortages, with reports indicating that at least 55 children have fallen ill after consuming contaminated water.
Beyond Derna, eastern Libya has suffered an additional 170 fatalities due to the flooding disaster, as reported in the latest UN update. The figures are expected to rise as rescue operations continue, and the full extent of the catastrophe becomes clearer.
Russia Sends Humanitarian Aid to Libya
In response to this dire situation, Russia has dispatched a team of 35 emergency doctors and humanitarian aid to eastern Libya. A statement from Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations affirmed their commitment to assisting the flood-affected population. A mobile hospital, equipped with operating theaters and an intensive care unit, has already been deployed to provide medical support to those in need.
The 35 Russian physicians will deliver “qualified medical assistance” to as many as 100 individuals daily at the disaster site, according to the ministry’s statement.
The flooding crisis was initiated by the bursting of two dams upstream from Derna, a city with approximately 100,000 residents in the northeastern region of Libya. The hurricane-strength Storm Daniel triggered tsunami-like flooding, overwhelming the area and resulting in this profound humanitarian catastrophe.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, reiterating the urgency of the situation, has warned that the toll from Derna alone could potentially exceed the already staggering figure of 11,300, with thousands more missing, underscoring the urgent need for international assistance and support.
