Libyan authorities blocked civilians from entering the flood-stricken eastern city of Derna on Friday so search teams could look through the mud and wrecked buildings for 10,100 people still missing after the known toll rose to 11,300 dead.
The disaster after two dams collapsed in heavy rains and sent a massive flood gushing into the Mediterranean city early Monday underscored the storm's intensity but also Libya's vulnerability. The oil-rich state since 2014 has been split between rival governments in the east and west backed by various militia forces and international patrons.
The Libyan Red Crescent said as of Thursday that 11,300 people in Derna had died and another 10,100 were reported missing. Mediterranean storm Daniel also killed about 170 people elsewhere in the country. Soon after the storm hit the city Sunday night, residents said they heard loud explosions when the dams outside the city collapsed. Floodwaters gushed down Wadi Derna, a valley that cuts through the city, crashing through buildings and washing people out to sea.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Death toll soars to 11,300 from flooding in Libyan coastal city of DernaAnother 10,100 are reported missing from flooding caused by Mediterranean storm Daniel, the Libyan Red Crescent says.
Read more »
Derna survivors search for loved ones after Libyan flooding'When I came, I found everything — my building, my family, the whole neighborhood — under the sea. Everything disappeared,' one man told NBC News.
Read more »
Flood death toll in Libya's Derna city could reach 20,000Toll could reach 18,000 to 20,000, based on number of wiped-out districts, says Abdulmenam al Ghaithi, mayor of eastern city.
Read more »
Flood death toll in Libya's Derna soars to 11,300 — aid groupLibyan Red Crescent says a further 10,100 people are reported missing in the Mediterranean city following devastating flood in the conflict-torn North African country.
Read more »
Familias enteras se ahogaron en las inundaciones en Derna, LibiaUn muro de agua de varios pisos de altura se estrelló contra edificios de departamentos y ahogó a familias enteras en minutos.
Read more »
Death toll surpasses 5,100 in Libya's city of Derna after devastating floods: ‘Bodies are everywhere'A local health official in eastern Libya says the flood death toll in the city of Derna has risen to more than 5,100
Read more »