At least 150 individuals have perished in the severe floods instigated by storm Daniel in eastern Libya, with destruction also reported in Turkey, Bulgaria, and Greece, as stated by officials. The storm led to significant damage, including mudslides and submerged neighbourhoods in eastern Libya.
East Libya’s Prime Minister, Oussama Hamad, conveyed fears of over 2,000 casualties in the city of Derna, although this has not been confirmed by medical or emergency personnel. Despite these high estimates, current totals from various sources suggest fewer casualties.
Spokesperson Mohamed Massoud noted the considerable property damage and affirmed that 150 deaths occurred in specific regions, including Derna, due to the storm’s torrential rains. Rescue efforts are underway with military assistance, although contact with nine soldiers has been lost.
Hamad and other ministers are visiting Derna to evaluate the damage firsthand. Experts categorize storm Daniel as extremely severe, attributing to its rapid rainfall accumulation within 24 hours, which has also resulted in fatalities in other countries.
The east Libyan government, opposing the UN-recognized transitional government in Tripoli, declared the affected regions “disaster areas”, prompting a nationwide mourning period announced by western Libya’s head, Abdelhamid Dbeibah. The National Petroleum Company has initiated a high alert status, affecting operations considerably.
The city of Derna, home to 100,000 residents, has suffered significant infrastructural damages necessitating national and global assistance, as articulated by a city official. The storm, which impacted Libya on Sunday, has particularly devastated the coastal towns of Jabal al-Akhdar and Benghazi, instigating curfews and school closures.
