DERNA, Sep 15: Satellite imagery has revealed widespread physical devastation caused by devastating floods that killed at least 11,300 people in the eastern Libyan city of Derna. The disaster unfolded when two dams upstream of Derna broke early Monday, unable to cope with incessant rains from a powerful storm. The sudden release of water caused a torrential downpour that engulfed the lower town area of Derna, ultimately washing away debris and structures into the Mediterranean Sea. Many residents reported that as soon as the dams gave way, they heard loud explosions, followed by floods up to several meters high rushing down the mountains towards the city.
Images taken from about 400 miles above Earth’s surface show the storm’s aftermath, showing a layer of brown mud and dirt covering the city. Countless people were buried under layers of mud and debris, including overturned vehicles and chunks of concrete. The death toll has tragically reached 11,300 as rescue and search operations continue. Marie El-Dres, Secretary-General of the Libyan Red Crescent, provided this sobering update, saying an additional 10,100 people were reported missing. This figure is a significant increase from the previously reported 5,500 deaths in Derna.
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Satellite images also show the extent of dirt and debris spread in Derna’s shallow coastal waters, making the coastline appear distinctly brown. According to rescue workers, some bodies washed away in the flood waters have returned with the tide.
The floods have forced at least 30,000 residents to be displaced in Derna, the UN’s International Organization for Migration reports. In addition, several thousand people have been forced to flee their homes in other eastern cities. There was widespread damage to infrastructure, including bridges and buildings near the Wadi Derna river.
Due to destroyed roads, the arrival of aid in the city began only on Tuesday evening, hampering relief efforts in the wake of this devastating incident.
