3 Volunteers, scores of migrants Perish in Eastern Libya Flooding as Death Toll Continues to Climb

Three dedicated volunteers lost their lives while extending a helping hand to the victims of severe flooding in eastern Libya, as confirmed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The volunteers, identified as Hamdi Belaid, Khaled Adwal, and Abadi Al-Kharm, met their untimely demise while assisting residents of Derna town who were marooned by the devastating floods.

This grim development was disclosed by Jagan Chapagain, the Secretary-General of IFRC.
The magnitude of the catastrophe is staggering, with at least 2,300 individuals already confirmed as casualties of the relentless flooding.

Tragically, this number is expected to rise significantly due to the staggering count of approximately 10,000 individuals who remain unaccounted for.

In response to this overwhelming loss of life, emergency services in Libya have tirelessly worked to retrieve the deceased amidst the widespread devastation that has engulfed the nation.

Heart-wrenching scenes have unfolded as victims, wrapped in body bags and blankets, are laid to rest in mass graves.

The search and rescue operations are ongoing, with the daunting prospect of locating and identifying the thousands still missing. The Red Crescent acknowledges the enormity of the disaster, yet the full extent of its impact remains uncertain.

Official records place the death toll at a minimum of 2,300 lives lost. However, reports from media outlets have cited a spokesman from the interior ministry who contends that the actual number of casualties in Derna city, the epicenter of the catastrophe, exceeds 5,300. With thousands still missing, it is regrettably anticipated that these numbers will continue to climb.

The relief efforts in eastern Libya are fraught with challenges. Raging floodwaters have left many roads in ruins, posing a significant obstacle to the distribution of urgently needed emergency aid to survivors. Additionally, the political division within the country, marked by two rival governments, has complicated rescue operations and hindered swift responses to the crisis.

This disaster has taken a particularly heavy toll on those who were already vulnerable, including thousands of migrants. According to the International Organization for Migration, there are approximately 600,000 migrants in Libya, some of whom find themselves in the affected areas, grappling with the additional burdens imposed by the catastrophic flooding.