Samy Madgy | The Associated Press
The head of one of Libya's rival governments said Monday that 2,000 people are feared dead in flooding that swept through the eastern parts of the north African nation.
In a phone interview with al-Masar television station Monday, Prime Minister Ossama Hamad said that 2,000 were feared dead in the eastern city of Derna, and thousands of others are reported missing.
He said the floods have swept away entire neighborhoods in Derna, which has been declared a disaster zone, after the country was hit by Mediterranean Storm Daniel.
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The Libyan Red Crescent said it lost contact with one of its workers as he attempted to help a stuck family in Bayda. Dozens of others were reported missing, and authorities fear they could have died in the floods that destroyed homes and other properties in several towns in eastern Libya, according to local media.
Derna, which was the worst hit, has become inaccessible and local media reported that the situation there was catastrophic with no electricity or communications.
Over the weekend, Libyans shared footage on social media showing flooded houses and roads in many areas across eastern Libya. They pleaded for help as floods besieged people inside their homes and in their vehicles.
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Hamad declared Derna a disaster zone after heavy rainfall and floods destroyed much of the city. He also government declared a state of emergency Saturday and suspended classes as a precaution ahead of the storm, which made landfall overnight.
The prime minister announced Monday a three-day of mourning and ordered flags across the country to be lowered to half-mast.
Controlling eastern and western Libya, Cmdr. Khalifa Hifter deployed troops to help residents in Benghazi and other eastern towns. Ahmed al-Mosmari, a spokesperson for Hifter’s forces, said they lost contact with five troops who were helping besieged families in Bayda.
The storm is expected to arrive in parts of west Egypt on Monday with possible thunderstorms and severe wind.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
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