Libya, Over 13,000 Dead Due to Massive Flooding... Death Toll May Reach Up to 20,000

The Libyan Red Crescent announced that the death toll from the massive flooding in Derna, an eastern Mediterranean coastal city in Libya, reached 11,300 on the 14th (local time).

As rescue operations have intensified following the disaster, the number of fatalities continues to rise.

On the 11th (local time), a vehicle was left damaged due to flooding in Derna City, northeastern Libya, North Africa.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

In particular, according to the Associated Press on the same day, the Secretary-General of the Libyan Red Crescent reported that in addition to those confirmed dead in Derna, over 11,000 people are missing. Accordingly, the final death toll is expected to reach up to 20,000.

Furthermore, Abdulmenam Al-Ghaithi, the mayor of Derna, stated in an interview with Al Jazeera the previous day that the death toll is estimated to be between 18,000 and up to 20,000. Derna’s total population is 125,000, and if these estimates materialize, it would mean that one in every six residents has lost their life.

As the number of deaths from the flooding increases, international organizations and countries are extending their aid. The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to provide an emergency fund of $2 million (approximately 2.658 billion KRW) to assist flood victims. The United Nations has allocated $10 million (approximately 13.2 billion KRW) from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for flood response and is organizing a rapid deployment rescue team.

The European Union (EU) is delivering humanitarian aid worth 500,000 euros (approximately 700 million KRW). The United Kingdom announced an emergency relief package worth 1 million pounds (approximately 1.6 billion KRW), and the United States has pledged to provide emergency funds to relief organizations.

Earlier, on the 10th, Storm Daniel struck Libya, causing massive flooding in Benghazi, Sousse, Derna, Marj, and other areas. In eastern Libya, two dams in Derna collapsed due to the storm, flooding surrounding urban and rural areas and causing extensive damage. The water released from the dams inundated Derna, resulting in over 10,000 people missing.