Survivors in Libya pick through the rubble and devastation as floodwaters recede

Elias ChavezJan 12, 2024, 16:10 IST

A tilted car sits above debris in Libya's eastern city of Derna following deadly flash floodsMAHMUD TURKIA/AFP via Getty Images

Floods devastated Derna, a port city in eastern Libya, after a storm overwhelmed two of the city's dams.
First responders continue to find bodies a week into the disaster but are having trouble identifying them.

After a storm in the eastern city of Derna, Libya, caused flooding that overwhelmed two of the city's dams on September 11, 2023, the process of restoring the city and recovering bodies began as floodwaters receded.

The flooding caused by the breaks in the dams resulted in the death and displacement of thousands, and there are still an estimated 10,000 people missing.

The storm, being referred to as a medicane — a shorter term for Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone — hit Derna so hard that two inland dams collapsed, releasing a deluge of water upon Derna.

As the waters recede, aid agencies are beginning to recover bodies. However, because many bodies have been floating in water or were carried out to sea, they are harder to identify.

At the same time, many of the people of Derna have been displaced. Libyan protestors torched the home of the mayor of Derna, blaming the government for its inability to protect the city from the faulty infrastructure that caused the flood. As a result, the administration governing eastern Libya has suspended the mayor and fired the entire city council.

Tropical storm Daniel destroyed two dams along the coast of Derna, causing flooding that has resulted in the estimated deaths of 11,000 people, with thousands still missing.

An aerial view of devastation after the floods in Derna, Libya.Halil Fidan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Tropical storm Daniel destroyed two dams along the coast of Derna, causing flooding that has resulted in the estimated deaths of 11,000 people, with thousands still missing.

The flood effectively bisected the city of Derna, flipping cars, destroying buildings, and killing thousands in its wake.

A view of a man walking among a destroyed building in Libya's eastern city of Derna.KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

Aerial shots of Derna show the devastating impact of the floods, erasing roads and burying cars, making it harder to evacuate the city.

A before and after aerial photo of an area of Derna impacted by the floods.Maxar Technologies

Since the floods happened, international first responders have been aiding in the rescue and recovery.

Russian first responders walk past a destroyed building in Derna.KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

Divers have begun looking for bodies in the sea, where it is believed many of the bodies were washed away after the tsunami-sized wall of water descended upon Derna.

Members of the Emirati rescue team dive in the sea to retrieve bodies in Libya's eastern port city of Derna.KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

Because some bodies have been in the sea for a week or more, identifying them has become a challenge for rescue teams, according to BBC.

Rescue teams look for flash flood victims in the city of Derna.Photo/Yousef Murad

While rescuers search for the dead, the living are dealing with the aftermath of the disaster.

A survivor prays over the rubble of her destroyed house in Derna.KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

Survivors have begun protests against a government they believe was negligent in repairing infrastructure and implementing flood warnings.

Demonstrators take part in protest outside of the Al-Sahaba mosque against the government.REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori

The government overseeing eastern Libya has suspended Mayor Abdulmenam al-Ghaith and all members of the Derna city council have been dismissed.

Demonstrators stand on a damaged car as a part of a protest outside of the Al-Sahaba mosque.REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori

As protests continue, the UN is worried about another potential crisis in Libya: disease.

A relative of a survivor of the recent flooding in Libya's eastern city of Derna walks along a corridor at the Benghazi Medical Centre hospital.OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

So far, 150 people — 55 of whom are children — have fallen ill after drinking contaminated water.

A car, carried away by the flood water, is seen at the seafront in Derna.REUTERS/Zohra Bensema

On September 18, the Biden administration released a statement that the US government is providing $11 million in aid to local and international organizations working in Libya.

An aerial view of devastation after the floods in Derna.Halil Fidan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

On September 18, the Biden administration released a statement that the US government is providing $11 million in aid to local and international organizations working in Libya.

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Survivors in Libya pick through the rubble and devastation as floodwaters recede

Tropical storm Daniel destroyed two dams along the coast of Derna, causing flooding that has resulted in the estimated deaths of 11,000 people, with thousands still missing.

The flood effectively bisected the city of Derna, flipping cars, destroying buildings, and killing thousands in its wake.

Aerial shots of Derna show the devastating impact of the floods, erasing roads and burying cars, making it harder to evacuate the city.

Since the floods happened, international first responders have been aiding in the rescue and recovery.

Divers have begun looking for bodies in the sea, where it is believed many of the bodies were washed away after the tsunami-sized wall of water descended upon Derna.

Because some bodies have been in the sea for a week or more, identifying them has become a challenge for rescue teams, according to BBC.

While rescuers search for the dead, the living are dealing with the aftermath of the disaster.

Survivors have begun protests against a government they believe was negligent in repairing infrastructure and implementing flood warnings.

The government overseeing eastern Libya has suspended Mayor Abdulmenam al-Ghaith and all members of the Derna city council have been dismissed.

As protests continue, the UN is worried about another potential crisis in Libya: disease.

So far, 150 people — 55 of whom are children — have fallen ill after drinking contaminated water.

On September 18, the Biden administration released a statement that the US government is providing $11 million in aid to local and international organizations working in Libya.