Two dams in northern Libya collapsed as a result of extreme rainfall, surging additional water into previously flooded areas, leaving more than 5,000 people believed dead and 10,000 still missing.
The number of individuals missing was disclosed by Tamer Ramadan, the delegation's leader from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Libya, to reporters on Tuesday at a briefing in Geneva, Switzerland. She said, "The death toll is huge."
According to the interior ministry of Libya's eastern authority on Tuesday, at least 5,300 individuals are estimated to be dead. However, the numbers are not independently verified of deaths or those missing.
Othman Abduljalil, the health minister in the eastern government of Libya, told Libya's Almasar TV that as many as 6,000 people are still missing in the eastern city of Derna, which has experienced the worst destruction. When he toured the city on Monday, he described the situation as "catastrophic."
According to authorities, entire neighbourhoods are believed to have been wiped away throughout the city. The collapse of two dams, which sent water rushing towards Derna, has caused catastrophic damage, authorities said Tuesday.
“Three bridges were destroyed. The flowing water carried away entire neighbourhoods, eventually depositing them into the sea,” said Ahmed Mismari, spokesperson for the LNA.
Strong muddy currents carrying vehicles and debris washed away homes in valleys, according to Aly, a representative for the Emergency and Ambulance Authority.
Aly told CNN that because of the extensive damage, the city's phone connections are down, hindering rescue attempts and preventing workers from entering Derna.
(Photos: Libyan government/AP/Emhmmed Mohamed Kshiem/ Getty Images)
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