Libya’s Catastrophe: The Aftermath of Derna’s Deadly Deluge

Libya’s Catastrophe: The Aftermath of Derna’s Deadly Deluge

Reported Death Toll Rises to 3,845

Mohammed Al-Jarrah, the spokesperson for the Crisis and Emergency Committee of the Libyan government, announced that the death toll from the Derna flood has increased to 3,845 individuals. This figure includes 43 bodies that were recovered and buried today and an additional 202 bodies that were buried yesterday. Al-Jarrah clarified that these figures represent the documented deaths verified by the Libyan Ministry of Health.

Efforts to Cross-check Data with Missing Persons

Efforts are currently underway to cross-check the reported figures with the lists of missing people to compile a complete tally of the disaster’s victims. This process could potentially reveal a higher death toll. Al-Jarrah explained that the absence of a unified system for recording deaths at the outset of the crisis has led to the spread of conflicting numbers.

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Urgent Appeal to Citizens

Al-Jarrah urged citizens with missing family members to report them promptly to the relevant authorities appointed by the Attorney General’s office. He outlined that there are still nine foreign teams working on the ground in Derna, participating in the recovery of victims’ bodies. In addition, an Emirati team has arrived to assist in criminal investigations and DNA matching operations.

United Nations Confirms 4,000 Deaths and Over 8,000 Missing

A spokesperson for the United Nations confirmed that there are 4,000 confirmed deaths in Derna, with more than 8,000 individuals still missing. Torrential rains and floods have caused substantial destruction, sweeping away several neighborhoods in Derna.

Emergency Teams Continue Recovery Efforts

Emergency teams persist in their efforts to recover the bodies of flood victims in eastern Libya. Amid the devastation, the true death toll remains unknown, with untold numbers swept into the sea. Libyan officials and humanitarian groups have warned that the final toll could be much higher, with many thousands still missing.

Disease Outbreaks: A Potential Second Crisis

The United Nations has warned that disease outbreaks could bring a second devastating crisis to Libya. The risk of disease outbreak, particularly from contaminated water and the lack of sanitation, is a significant concern for local officials, aid agencies, and the World Health Organization.

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Appeals for International Aid

The United Nations has launched an emergency appeal for more than $71 million. Nine of its agencies are delivering aid and support to survivors and working to prevent the spread of diseases. The European Union has also released around $5.5 million in humanitarian funding for Libya, bringing total EU aid so far to more than $5.7 million.

Temporary Bridge Construction Underway

The Tripoli-based government announced that work has commenced to build a temporary bridge to span the river that cuts through Derna. The massive flooding caused two upstream river dams in Derna to rupture, sending a tidal wave crashing through the center of the city. This resulted in the sweeping of entire residential blocks into the Mediterranean.

Final Words

The humanitarian crisis in Derna remains a grave concern for both national and international entities. With missing persons still unaccounted for and the threat of disease outbreaks looming, the urgency to provide aid and resources to the affected region is paramount. The hope is that the ongoing efforts of local and international teams can mitigate further devastation and provide necessary support to the surviving victims of this calamity.

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