Death toll from Derna floods in Libya rises to at least 11,300
The death toll from the devastating floods in the eastern Libyan city of Derna has risen to at least 11,300, according to a UN report released on Saturday. Search efforts for the dead are ongoing, while some residents complain that local authorities are not moving quickly to help them.
"Every room is full of mud. There are trees right in the middle of the building," said one resident.
"We have no aid. No help from the government," said another.
"It's not easy. Only God knows what we're going through. No one is helping us. Not even the government, we are left on the street," said a third.
"All countries and governments are only interested in our oil and natural resources. The international community is only focused on our oil but not on unity around Libya," said Ossama Hamad, the prime minister of the eastern Libyan government.
Some aid has begun to arrive in Derna, but it is being distributed with great difficulty as roads and infrastructure have been badly damaged by the floods.
"It is time to be united. If we do not cooperate now, when? People have died, cities have been destroyed. If not us, not just from one city, but from all over Libya, we will not unite now, when will we do it?"
At least 10,100 people are still missing in Derna. The death toll is expected to rise. The World Health Organization and other aid groups have urged Libyan authorities to stop burying flood victims in mass graves, saying they could cause long-term psychological suffering for families or could pose health risks if located near water. The extreme rainfall that hit Libya was brought by storm Daniel. Derna, the epicentre of the disaster, was split in two after the waters swept away entire neighbourhoods. Before the tragedy, it had a population of about 100,000 residents.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
