In a harrowing turn of events, Libya finds itself grappling with the aftermath of storm Daniel, a catastrophic weather system that has left at least 150 lives lost in its wake. This devastating incident, resulting from the relentless fury of nature, unfolded across various regions, including Derna, the Jabal al-Akhdar area, and the suburbs of Al-Marj.
Mohamed Massoud, the spokesperson for the Benghazi-based administration in Libya, solemnly reported, “At least 150 people were killed as a result of flooding and torrential rains left by storm Daniel.”
He went on to express the profound extent of the tragedy, emphasizing the extensive damage inflicted upon public and private properties.
In response to this catastrophe, Prime Minister Oussama Hamad, representing the eastern-based government, along with the head of a rescue committee and other ministers, swiftly journeyed to Derna. Their mission was to assess the grim scope of the devastation and offer support to the affected communities.
Amidst this dire situation, the government led by Hamad declared Derna a “disaster area” on Monday, acknowledging the urgent need for aid and recovery efforts. Storm Daniel, a menacing force of nature, had not only unleashed destruction upon Libya but also wreaked havoc in parts of Greece, Turkey, and Bulgaria, claiming the lives of at least 27 individuals.
Experts have characterized this weather event as “extreme in terms of the amount of water falling in a space of 24 hours.”
The storm descended upon eastern Libya on a fateful Sunday afternoon, striking notably the coastal town of Jabal al-Akhdar and even the city of Benghazi. In response to the crisis, authorities imposed a curfew in Benghazi and temporarily shuttered schools for safety reasons.
In this dire hour, rescue teams were dispatched to Derna, a city situated 900 kilometers (560 miles) east of the capital, Tripoli. Tragically, during the perilous rescue operations, east Libyan authorities lost contact with nine soldiers.
As Libya and its international partners grapple with the aftermath of this catastrophe, the nation mourns the lives lost and the monumental challenges that lie ahead in the path to recovery.
