A catastrophic marine flood has hit Libya, with fears of over 20,000 fatalities. The extent of this disaster is so overwhelming that authorities are struggling to locate and identify the deceased. Here’s what you need to know:
Devastating impact on Libya
- Scale of Tragedy: Reports suggest that this is one of the largest disasters in Libya’s recent history. The bodies of many victims are yet to be recovered.
- Derna City Affected Severely: Almost half of Derna, a city in Libya, is destroyed due to the flood. Water gushed into the city, sweeping away countless residents.
- The Toll: Derna’s Mayor, Abdulmunem Al-Ghaithi, mentioned that the death toll has reached somewhere between 18,000 to 20,000 people.
- Health Concerns: Decomposing bodies in the water and filth on the streets have increased the risk of disease outbreaks. There are growing concerns about a potential epidemic.
Could This Have Been Prevented? Libya
- World Meteorological Organization Speaks Out: The organization believes that many deaths could have been prevented. They highlighted that due to a decade-long civil war and two separate governments running the country, Libya’s meteorological department wasn’t active. Had it been functional, timely flood predictions could have saved many lives.
- Warnings Ignored: Experts had previously warned about the city’s vulnerability, suggesting that dams should be built to protect Derna, which is located near the coast. The risks were known, but preventive measures weren’t taken.
Witness Accounts
- Buildings Collapsed: The ferocity of the flood was such that large buildings crumbled within minutes. There are families where no member has survived the disaster.
- Heartbreaking Stories: A resident shared his anguish, revealing that he lost 13 family members to the flood.
- Mass Burials: Given the scale of the tragedy, many victims are being buried en masse, with the aid of heavy machinery.
Background Of Libya
Libya, an African nation, has been grappling with the aftermath of a decade-long civil war. The conflict has severely affected its infrastructure.
In light of this tragedy, the international community must come together to support Libya, ensuring such events don’t reoccur in the future.
UN Rescue Team Deployed to the Affected Area
- United Nations deploys Emergency Response Teams to assist amidst devastation.
- Turkey, along with multiple countries, has started relief and rescue operations in the affected region.
- Wahda Hospital reports substantial death toll:
- Approximately 1,700 casualties in one city district.
- Another district witnessed around 500 deaths.
- Reuters states: Hospital floors inundated with bodies, distraught individuals searching for missing family members.
- Al-Masr Television reports:
- Interior Minister of the eastern administration confirms death toll exceeds 5,000.
- Massive grief among families, with authorities working hard to manage the aftermath.
10,000 People Missing After Storm Daniel Strikes
- Storm Daniel sweeps through the Mediterranean, affecting Libya after a decade-long hiatus.
- Derna, with a population of approximately 125,000, faces severe destruction.
- Reuters journalists document extensive damage in the city.
- Buildings have been obliterated and roads are submerged in mud.
- Benghazi, Libya’s second-largest city, and other eastern cities have also felt the storm’s impact.
- Tamer Ramzan from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies predicts a significantly high death toll.
- Current reports indicate about 10,000 people are missing in the aftermath of the storm
The UN Revises Death Toll from Libya’s Flood Disaster
In recent times, Libya faced a devastating flood that resulted in widespread chaos and fatalities. But there seems to be confusion and debate surrounding the actual number of deaths caused by this calamity.
UN’s Original Claims and Their Retraction
Credit – Google
Initially, the United Nations (UN) had stated that more than 11,000 people had lost their lives in the Libyan flood. However, they have now revised this figure. They clarified that such numbers often get updated during such crises. Their latest estimate suggests the death toll stands at 3,958, which matches the official number released by Libya. Interestingly, this initial estimation was presented by the UN’s Coordination of Humanitarian Committee.
The worst-hit area was the city of Derna in Libya. Here, the waters from two broken dams led to widespread destruction.
Controversies Surrounding Death Toll Estimates
- UN’s High Estimations: The United Nations Committee had previously indicated that they feared up to 20,000 people might have been killed. Besides claiming over 11,000 deaths, they also asserted that over 10,000 people were missing due to the flood’s destruction.
- Libya’s Refutation: Local Libyan institutions denied the UN’s figures, stating they never released such high numbers.
- The Mentioned Reference: The UN, in their report, cited the Libyan Red Crescent for their figures. However, the twist came when the same institution denied having released any such numbers.
Statements from UN Officials
Farhan Haq, the Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, confirmed that the World Health Organization’s provided numbers are accurate. Surprisingly, even the Red Crescent rejected the UN’s claims. As per a CNN report, a Red Crescent official stated that they hadn’t issued such numbers. However, the UN spokesperson remarked that it’s common to revise death toll figures in such situations, and that’s exactly what happened here.
Derna’s Catastrophe
Derna, a city with a population of around 120,000, witnessed a colossal influx of water – approximately 25 million cubic meters – due to the breach of two dams. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) mentioned that a relief fund of 71 million US dollars would be allocated to assist the affected people. The World Health Organization has also taken measures, reaching out to nearly 250,000 people in eastern Libya.
Conclusion:
The ongoing situation reflects the severity of the disaster. With international bodies and countries coming forward to assist, efforts are being made to provide relief to the affected and to ascertain the full extent of the devastation.
Disasters of this scale not only bring physical devastation but also present challenges in data collection and reporting. It’s crucial to have accurate data to ensure the right assistance is provided to those affected and to understand the real impact of the catastrophe.
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