In a devastating turn of events, Libya has declared a state of emergency as the aftermath of Storm Daniel leaves a trail of destruction and heartbreak. The Libyan Red Cross reports that the death toll has risen to over 200. In contrast, unofficial estimates from the leader of the unrecognized eastern Libyan government suggest a staggering toll exceeding 2,000 lives lost.
Storm Daniel made a brutal landfall in this North African nation on a fateful Sunday, pushing authorities to invoke a state of extreme emergency. Tragically, the rescue efforts have taken a toll on the Libyan army, with seven missing personnel.
Eastern Libya has urgently responded, implementing a curfew and mandating the closure of schools and shops. Cities like Benghazi, Sousse, Derna, and Al-Marj have borne the brunt of Storm Daniel’s wrath, with the death toll climbing relentlessly. The Libyan Red Cross has also reported destroying at least 150 homes, compounding the tragedy.
In the city of Derna alone, the head of the Red Crescent humanitarian network reported over 150 casualties, primarily due to the collapse of two dams that submerged a significant part of the area. In response, Derna has been declared a “disaster city.”
The situation escalated further when Prime Minister Osama Hamad, representing the eastern government, claimed that the actual number of missing individuals is in the thousands, with over 2,000 lives lost. However, no official source for these figures was provided.
The western city of Misrata was not spared either, as floodwaters wreaked havoc. Disturbing videos of the storm circulated online, depicting terrifying scenes of floodwaters sweeping people away and drivers stranded on their car roofs.
Adding to the crisis, four major oil ports had to close due to the storm’s impact, further disrupting the nation’s stability.
In response to the disaster, the internationally recognized government based in the capital, Tripoli, under Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeiba, directed all state agencies to address the damage and flooding immediately. The United Nations in Libya pledged to monitor the situation and provide essential relief assistance closely.
It is crucial to remember that Libya has been grappling with division since 2014, following the demise of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Both rival governments have declared three days of mourning to honor the lives lost in this catastrophic event.
Storm Daniel’s devastation did not spare neighboring countries, as it previously struck Greece, Turkey, and Bulgaria, claiming over a dozen lives. Egypt now braces itself for the impact as climate scientists issue warnings about the increasing intensity of storms due to global warming and heightened evaporation during the summer months.
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