Libyen: Tausende Tote nach Unwetter und Überschwemmungen in Libyen befürchtet

After severe storms in Libya, the government in the eastern part of the country expects thousands of deaths. Osama Hammad, the leader of one of the rival governments in the war-torn country, stated on Monday to Al-Massar TV that there are fears of more than 2000 fatalities. Thousands of other people in the country, which has a population of just under seven million, are reported missing. There is currently no independent information available regarding the number of casualties.

The storm named „Daniel“ hit Libya on Sunday. According to the news agency Reuters, the Libyan Presidential Council is now requesting international assistance and has declared the affected regions in the east of the country as a „disaster area.“

After the overthrow of longtime ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi in 2011, a civil war broke out in Libya. Numerous militias have been vying for power in the oil-rich state ever since. Currently, two rival governments, each with a seat in the east and west, are fighting for control. All diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict have so far failed. The conflict is further fueled by foreign states.

A spokesperson for the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA), Ahmed Al-Mismari, stated on television on Monday that there were 2000 fatalities solely in the city of Derna. Additionally, several thousand people were reported missing in the port city. These numbers could not be independently verified at first. The LNA is under the command of General Khalifa Haftar, who controls the eastern part of the country.

Zwei Staudämme sollen gebrochen sein

According to the emergency services, the northeastern region was mainly affected. The situation in the city of Derna was described as „out of control“ by the municipal council. It is reported that two dams have been breached there. Rescue operations were said to be challenging, with the emergency service relying on helicopter support. Power and internet connection have been disrupted.

Local emergency services and hospitals had previously reported about two dozen deaths. Besides Derna, the cities of Al-Baida, Al-Mardsch, and Susa are also affected. However, rescuers also stated that the number of casualties will continue to rise.

The government in the capital city of Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbaiba, described it as the most severe rainfall in over 40 years.