Thousands feared dead as devastating floods hit Libya

KABUL (Pajhwok): Devastating Libya flooding have left thousands of people dead in northeastern Libya, CNN reported on Tuesday.

A fierce storm triggered heavy rain, leading to the collapse of two dams. The ensuing flooding swept entire neighbourhoods into the sea.

Health Minister Othman Abduljalil was quoted as saying that more than 2,000 people had died and about 6,000 others were missing in the city of Derna.

The official, calling the situation catastrophic, told a Libyan TV channel that bodies were still lying in many places.

Abduljalil appealed to the global fraternity for assistance, saying they needed search and rescue teams.

Earlier, Libya’s Red Crescent Society said over 300 people had died in Derna, where two dams broke as a result of the deluge.

CNN quoted Libya’s Emergency and Ambulance authority chief Osama Aly as saying: “All of the water headed to an area near Derna, which is a mountainous coastal area.”

Due to the widespread destruction, rescuers could not enter Derna, where homes and cars were washed away by, he added.

The UN Support Mission in Libya tweeted that it was closely following the emergency caused by severe weather conditions in the eastern region of the country.

PAN Monitor/mud

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