The flood-ravaged city of Derna in Libya is facing a severe humanitarian crisis as corpses pile up on the streets, risking contamination and posing a threat to public health. After a powerful storm caused extensive damage to the coastal city and floodwaters swept parts of Derna into the sea, authorities are now racing against time to not only find and evacuate survivors but also collect and bury the growing number of victims before their bodies start decomposing.
The death toll estimates have varied widely, with the Libyan Red Crescent reporting that the number of fatalities in Derna has reached a staggering 11,300, while around 10,100 people are still reported missing. Health authorities had initially estimated the death toll at 5,500, and the storm has also claimed the lives of approximately 170 people in other parts of the country. There are fears that the final death toll could climb up to 20,000 as rescue efforts transition into recovery operations.
The catastrophe was triggered by Mediterranean Storm Daniel, which dumped over 40cm (16 inches) of rain within 24 hours on Libya’s northeast coast. This region typically receives about 15mm of rainfall for the entire month of September. The excessive rainfall overwhelmed two dams upstream of Derna, unleashing approximately 30 million cubic metres of water that swept through Wadi Derna, destroying entire neighborhoods and leaving the city in ruins.
Finding and recovering the bodies has become a monumental challenge for the authorities, especially in a country divided between two rival governments and with infrastructure already weakened by years of conflict. The lack of resources, including basic equipment like masks and gloves, has further hindered rescue and recovery efforts. Several countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Finland, and Romania, have dispatched rescue teams to assist.
Teams of frogmen and units from the Libyan National Army have been tirelessly working to recover bodies from the sea near Derna, with some victims being found kilometers away from the city. With hospitals in Derna severely damaged or out of operation, emergency crews initially stored the corpses at a clinic for families to retrieve and issue death certificates. However, the rapid decomposition of the bodies forced authorities to resort to mass graves, despite the shortage of body bags and essential supplies.
Apart from the grim task of collecting and burying the corpses, the lack of clean water in Derna has raised concerns about the potential contamination of drinking water due to the damaged sewage system. The city is also grappling with hygienic issues, water shortages, and a collapsing healthcare system. The extent of the damage and displacement caused by the floods has rendered Derna almost uninhabitable.
As the recovery and rebuilding phase begins, it is crucial for international assistance and resources to reach Derna promptly to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of survivors. The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but with concerted efforts from both national and international actors, there is hope for the devastated city to rebuild and regain its viability once again.
