This Thursday morning Libyan authorities they demanded investigation to determine whether human error was responsible for thousands of deaths This is already the worst natural disaster in the modern history of the country.

Sunday stream released a strong storm broke the dams and plunged into the seasonal current of the river that flows through the city, dragging multi-story buildings with families sleeping in them into the sea.

The death toll confirmed by the authorities as of today, September 14, exceeds five thousand and, according to Mayor of DernaAbdulmenam al-Ghaiti, The death toll could reach between 18,000 and 20,000 people. depending on the amount of damage.

In statements to the agency Reuters In Derna, al-Ghaiti commented: “In fact, we need specialized body recovery teams.. I’m afraid that the city will be infected by an epidemic due to the large number of bodies under the rubble and in the water.”

World Meteorological Organization stated that the huge loss of life could have been avoided If only Libya, which had been in a state of insolvency for more than a decade, had an operational meteorological agency.

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He Secretary-General of WMOPetteri Taalasche stated in Geneva that “If there was a weather service that was functioning properly, they could issue warnings. Emergency management authorities would be able to evacuate the population, and we could avoid most of the human casualties“.

Other commenters noted early warnings, including a scientific paper published last year by a hydrologist describing city’s vulnerability to flooding and the urgent need to give maintenance of the dams that protected it.

International assistance

World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed this Thursday that there will be be appointed 2 million dollars its emergency fund to support flood victims, which has been confirmed Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesusgeneral director of the enterprise.

“As the death toll rises, the health care needs of survivors become increasingly urgent. WHO publishes $2 million from our reserve fund to support our response,” he said.

After the tragic flood rescue teams They came from different parts of the world, including Egypt, Turkey, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

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Türkiye sent a ship with material for establish two field hospitals. Italy sent three planes carrying supplies and personnel, as well as two warships, the unloading of which was difficult because the debris-strewn port of Derna was virtually unusable.

New video showing the scale of destruction caused by Mediterranean Storm Daniel in the city #Derna.
Thousands of dead, thousands missing and tens of thousands of families displaced.#Libya pic.twitter.com/Hg6yOA1Uxs

— ARA (@AndreaRamirezA_) September 13, 2023

Rescue efforts are difficult political differences in the country 7 million inhabitantsamid periodic wars and without a national government after a rebellion supported NATO overthrew Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

(according to information from Reuters)