According to a spokesman for the Interior Ministry of one of the two governments in the civil war country, around 5,200 people died in the devastating storm in Libya. The spokesman for the German Press Agency said this on Tuesday. The numbers could not initially be confirmed independently.
On Tuesday morning, the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent spoke of thousands of dead and more than 10,000 missing. Caused by the storm “Daniel”, the east of the North African country was hit by heavy rain on Sunday, which led to severe flooding and devastated numerous places. Images from the affected areas showed massive mudslides, collapsed buildings and entire neighborhoods submerged in muddy water.
The coastal town of Derna in the east of the country is particularly affected. A representative of the municipality of the coastal city of Derna described the situation on site as “catastrophic”. Four important bridges, two buildings and two dams collapsed. The city needs “national and international help”. Libyan television showed dozens of bodies wrapped in blankets and sheets in the city’s central square. Derna is located 900 kilometers east of the Libyan capital Tripoli and has a population of 100,000.
More information coming soon.
