People look at the damage caused by freak floods in Derna, eastern Libya, on September 11

In a heartbreaking tragedy that has sent shockwaves across the globe, Libya is reeling from the aftermath of catastrophic flash floods that have claimed the lives of at least 2,300 people, with thousands more reported missing. The devastating events unfolded on Tuesday when flash floods tore through the eastern coastal city of Derna, shattering entire neighborhoods and leaving the nation in despair.

As the world watches in horror, multiple nations have stepped forward to offer their urgent assistance and rescue teams to help Libya, a nation already scarred by years of conflict. A United Nations official described the situation as "a calamity of epic proportions."

The Mediterranean coastal city of Derna, home to approximately 100,000 people, bore the brunt of the disaster. Multi-story buildings along the riverbanks crumbled, while houses and cars were swept away by the raging floodwaters. Libyan emergency services operating in Derna have reported an initial death toll of more than 2,300, and they estimate that more than 5,000 people remain missing, with around 7,000 others injured.

Osama Ali of the Tripoli-based Rescue and Emergency Service described the situation in Derna as "shocking and very dramatic," emphasizing the urgent need for support to save lives, as there are still people trapped under the rubble.

The catastrophic floods were triggered by torrential rains from Storm Daniel, which made landfall in Libya after causing havoc in Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Derna, situated 250 kilometers west of Benghazi, found itself overwhelmed by the floods, as the dry riverbed that normally winds through the city became a raging torrent of mud-brown water that also washed away several major bridges.

The death toll reported by the Libyan service aligns with early estimates provided by the Red Cross and local authorities in the eastern region. However, there are concerns that the number of casualties may continue to rise.

Tamer Ramadan of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies stated, "The death toll is huge and might reach thousands." He added that independent sources indicated that the number of missing people had reached 10,000.

Search efforts intensified Tuesday for thousands of people feared dead after a storm ravaged Libya’s eastern region, killing around 2,000 in one city and leaving many more missing.

The city of Derna is the hardest hit https://t.co/fG69OG2p1s pic.twitter.com/ZN0KKLch6c
— Bloomberg (@business) September 12, 2023

Libya, a country rich in oil resources, is still grappling with the aftermath of the civil war and chaos that followed the 2011 Nato-backed uprising that led to the downfall and death of longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The nation is currently divided between two rival governments, with the eastern region severely impacted by the flood disaster.

Access to the eastern region has been limited, with phone and online communication severed. Oussama Hamad, the prime minister of the eastern administration, reported "more than 2,000 dead and thousands missing" in Derna alone. Military leader Khalifa Haftar, supporting the eastern administration, issued a similar warning.

As the world rallies to provide aid and support, rescue teams from Turkey have already arrived in eastern Libya. Several countries, including Algeria, Egypt, France, Italy, Qatar, Tunisia, and the United States, have offered assistance.

The storm also caused flooding and damage in Benghazi and the hill district of Jabal al-Akhdar. Images from the region show overturned vehicles and widespread destruction. Libya's National Petroleum Company declared "a state of maximum alert" and suspended flights between production sites.

At least 10,000 people are believed to be missing in Libya because of flooding from Storm Daniel, an international agency estimates.

The city of Derna has been most acutely affected, after raging torrents of water tore through two dams and swept entire buildings into the sea.… pic.twitter.com/4c36xl2VbP
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 12, 2023

In response to the devastating floods, Libya's UN-brokered government under Abdelhamid Dbeibah announced three days of national mourning and emphasized the need for unity among all Libyans. Aid convoys from Tripoli are en route to the east, and Italy has dispatched assessment teams to coordinate assistance.

International leaders have expressed their condolences and offered support. The United States embassy issued a declaration of humanitarian need and is working with UN partners and Libyan authorities to provide assistance. European Council president Charles Michel conveyed the EU's readiness to help those affected by the calamity, highlighting the harrowing scenes emerging from Libya. The world watches with heavy hearts as Libya grapples with this unprecedented catastrophe.

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