Libya has been hit by the worst natural disaster in history. The death toll continues to rise in the country battered by powerful Cyclone Daniel. The death toll has already exceeded 11,000.
The news agency AP reported this information in a report on Friday (September 15).
The death toll from severe flooding in the Libyan coastal city of Derna has risen to 11,300, the Red Crescent said on Thursday (September 14). Efforts are also ongoing to search for the missing after massive tsunami-like floods broke two dams in heavy rains.
Floods from Cyclone Daniel hit Libya. Two dams broke and some areas were washed away. Many people are still missing. The worst loss of life and damage was in the port city of Derna.
After the flood waters receded, signs of damage started to become visible. Most of the roads in the city are closed. Rescue teams and aid fleets are struggling to enter Derna town.
Analysts fear that the city of Derna will not be habitable for the foreseeable future after the floods. It is feared that at least 80 thousand people of the city may be displaced.
A UN official said on Thursday that most of the casualties in Derna could have been avoided. World Meteorological Organization chief Petri Talas told reporters in Geneva that if there had been a normal operating weather service, they would have issued warnings. And then the emergency management authorities would have been able to evacuate people to a safe place.
Authorities said hundreds of millions of dollars will be needed to cover flood damage in Libya. Several countries have come forward for help. In addition, the World Health Organization has announced two million dollars in emergency aid.