Northern Libya was suddenly transformed into a scene of tragedy on the night of Sunday, September 10, 2023, when a relentless storm caused severe flooding that produced mass destruction. The devastation resulting from Tropical Storm Daniel was exacerbated by a number of factors, including extremely dry soils that could not absorb the amount of rain.
Thousands of people were trapped in homes that withstood the force of the waters, others were swept out to sea. The immediate response of local authorities and rescue teams was severely limited by the scarcity of resources and the magnitude of the disaster.
One of the most affected areas was the region of Libya’s main oil facilities, located in Derna, a prosperous coastal city. With three bridges collapsed and a dam that gave way under the pressure of the waters, vast areas of the city were submerged. The lack of electricity and communications left many communities isolated, and a state of maximum alert was declared.
The magnitude of the tragedy led Libya to request international aid. Thousands of people were swept out to sea by the force of the waters, and bodies have been recovered at an alarming rate.
Humanitarian organizations, such as the Red Cross and the Red Crescent, counted approximately 4,000 dead seven days after the tragedy, but the government warns of the possibility of more bodies being recovered. The magnitude of this tragedy is overwhelming, and the city of Derna faces a long road to recovery ahead.
