Devastating Floods in Derna, Libya: Over 10,000 Missing, Death Toll Surpasses 11,000 and Risks Continue to Mount

Libyan authorities have sealed off the city of Derna to allow search teams to comb through the flooded streets and buildings in search of over 10,000 missing individuals. The official death toll from the flooding has surpassed 11,000, and authorities have warned that disease and explosives swept away by the water could claim even more lives.

The collapse of two dams during heavy rains from Mediterranean storm Daniel caused the catastrophic flooding, exacerbating the toll caused by Libya's political instability. The country has been divided since 2014 between rival governments in the east and west supported by various militia groups and international backers.

Despite the political divisions, government agencies from both sides have rushed to provide assistance, but their efforts have been hampered by destroyed bridges that connect the city. The streets of Derna are now littered with twisted metal and flooded cars, covered in a layer of tan mud.

Teams have already buried bodies in mass graves outside the city and in nearby towns, but officials fear that there are still thousands of bodies hidden in the mud or floating in the sea. Disease is also a concern due to standing water contamination, and officials are working to ensure that people have access to safe water.

The tragedy in Derna has shed light on another danger lurking beneath the mud – landmines and explosive remnants from Libya's protracted conflict. Detecting and demining efforts were already limited before the floods, and now explosive devices could have been swept to previously undetected areas.

To facilitate emergency crews' work, residents are being evacuated from Derna, and only search-and-rescue teams are allowed to enter. The Libyan Red Crescent has reported 11,300 deaths in Derna and another 10,100 people missing. The storm also killed approximately 170 people elsewhere in the country.

The lack of functioning government institutions has been cited as a contributing factor to the extent of the disaster, and residents are upset and angry about the lack of preparedness. The tragedy in Derna highlights the urgent need for coordinated relief efforts, access to critical supplies, and mental health support for survivors and medical workers.