Devastating floods resulting from heavy rains and the collapse of two dams have brought tragedy to northeastern Libya, with more than 5,000 people presumed dead and an estimated 10,000 individuals missing.
This catastrophic event occurred after a tropical-like cyclone, known as a medicane, formed in the Mediterranean following severe flooding in Greece.
Reports indicate that the city of Derna has suffered the most extensive damage, with entire neighbourhoods washed away.
Hospitals are non-operational, and mortuaries are overflowing, leaving bodies on sidewalks. The collapse of bridges and the destruction of homes have added to the destruction.
Authorities are struggling to respond effectively due to downed phone lines and difficult access to affected areas.
The scale of the disaster caught Libya unprepared, as the country faces a complex political situation that has hampered infrastructure development and disaster preparedness.
Several nations and humanitarian organisations have offered aid, but the challenges are immense, compounded by years of conflict, instability, and the steady deterioration of conditions in Libya.
The storm in northeastern Libya is part of a pattern of extreme weather events around the world, highlighting the urgent need for climate resilience and disaster preparedness.
