Le coût tragique des inondations en Libye : Des milliers de vies perdues

Tragic Loss of Lives in Flooding in Libya Raises Concerns

Rising Death Toll

Over 2300 people have lost their lives in the devastating floods that struck the city of Derna in eastern Libya, according to rescue services. However, there are fears that the death toll could be much higher. Oussama Ali, spokesperson for the Libyan Search and Rescue Service, affiliated with the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, stated that the floods caused by storm Daniel resulted in over 2300 deaths and around 7000 injuries in Derna, with over 5000 people reported missing. He also mentioned that at least 65 others lost their lives in the storm in other cities and towns in eastern Libya.

On the other hand, officials from the rival government based in eastern Libya claim that thousands of people have perished in the floods in Derna, a city with a population of 100,000, with the Red Cross reporting an enormous death toll. They stated that the two main dams on the small Wadi Derna river collapsed on Sunday night, causing massive mudslides, destroying bridges, and sweeping away numerous buildings and their inhabitants on both sides of the river before pouring into the Mediterranean Sea.

Huge Humanitarian Needs

A representative from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) stated on Tuesday that the floods in Libya have caused an enormous number of deaths, potentially numbering in the thousands, with 10,000 people missing. According to Tamer Ramadan, head of the IFRC delegation in Libya, the humanitarian needs far exceed the capacities of both the Libyan Red Crescent and the government. The IFRC further reported that three Libyan Red Crescent volunteers lost their lives while assisting flood victims.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior of the Eastern government, quoted by the media, asserted that over 5200 people perished in Derna. The Minister of Health within this government, Othman Abdeljalil, warned on Monday evening that he expects the death toll to rise to 10,000, highlighting that many neighborhoods are still inaccessible.

Apocalyptic Scenes and Isolation

Rescuers appear to be overwhelmed by the scale of the catastrophe, as shown in images circulated on social media by residents of the region. The scenes depict an apocalyptic landscape with severed roads, landslides, and flooding that hindered rescue efforts. The affected population had to resort to rudimentary means to retrieve bodies and save drowning survivors.

Derna and other cities remain cut off from the rest of the world, despite authorities’ efforts to restore mobile and internet networks.

International Aid Efforts

Aid convoys from Tripoli in the west have been dispatched to Derna. The government led by Abdelhamid Dbeibah announced the deployment of two air ambulances, one helicopter, 87 doctors, a search and rescue team with trained canines, as well as technicians from the National Electricity Company to restore power quickly.

Rescue teams from Turkey and the United Arab Emirates have also arrived in eastern Libya, according to authorities. Algeria has announced the dispatch of significant humanitarian assistance, including food and medical supplies, tents, and clothing, via eight military aircraft. Egypt and Italy have also announced their intention to provide aid.

The United States ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland, stated that the embassy has issued a humanitarian assistance declaration, which will authorize the initial funding that the United States will provide to support relief efforts in Libya. The European Union is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to offer support, according to Josep Borrel, the head of European diplomacy.

The international community must rally together to provide timely and substantial assistance to Libya in the wake of this tragic event. Cooperation between neighboring countries, regional organizations, and international bodies will be crucial in addressing the immediate and long-term humanitarian needs in the affected areas.