The death toll in Libya’s coastal city of Derna has risen to 11,300 as searches continue after massive flooding caused by the breach of two dams following heavy rains, the Libyan Red Crescent humanitarian organization said.
Marie el-Drese, assistant secretary general of this organization, told the Associated Press news agency that more than 10,100 people are missing. Health authorities had earlier announced that the death toll was 5,500.
Another 170 people lost their lives in other areas of the country as a result of the storm.
The floods wiped out entire neighborhoods and extinguished hundreds of families in Derna. They also exposed the weaknesses of the oil-rich country, which has been mired in conflict since the 2011 uprising that toppled ruling dictator Moammar Gaddafi.
Health Minister Othman Abduljaleel said the victims are being buried in mass graves. By Thursday morning, according to him, 3,000 victims had been buried.
It is not known how many victims may be under the rubble or under the mud.
The United Nations has appealed for $74.1 million in emergency aid to meet the urgent needs of more than 250,000 citizens most affected by the floods.
The President of the United States Joe Biden has announced the sending of funds to help organizations in Libya and to support local authorities and the United Nations to provide additional assistance./ VOA
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