The death toll from the flooding in Libya could reach 20,000, a local mayor has warned.
On Sunday, Storm Daniel caused huge damage in the city of Derna, sweeping away a local dam, entire apartment blocks and cars.
Some 30,000 people have been displaced and officials say 5,300 bodies have been recovered.
A general view of the city of Derna on Tuesday, Sept. 12., 2023. (AP Photo/Jamal Alkomaty)"The sea is constantly dumping dozens of bodies," Eastern Civil Aviation Minister Hichem Abu Chkiouat said.
Such is the scale of tragedy, many survivors have lost more than one member of their family.
"I have friends in the hospital here who have lost most of their families... they've lost everyone," Libyan doctor Najib Tarhoni told the BBC.
"We just need people who understand the situation - logistic help, dogs that can actually smell people and get them from under the ground.
“We just need the humanitarian help, people who actually know what they are doing."
Posting on X, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy unfolding in Libya and the Irish Government would donate €1 million of aid to help with the response.
Deeply saddened by the devastating scenes from the flooding in Libya. My thoughts are with the victims and those responding to this heartbreaking tragedy.
In the face of this catastrophe, Ireland stands with the Libyan people and will provide €1m in aid towards the response.— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 13, 2023
The European Union has sent €500,000 in emergency funding and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund has announced €9.3 million in support.
Local officials have estimated it will cost billions of euros to repair infrastructure in the city of Derna and surrounding areas.
Since the fall of Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been split in two; the west is governed by the internationally recognised Government in Tripoli and the east by rebels.
Although Derna is located in the east, such is the scale of the disaster, the Government in Tripoli has sent medical aid.
Main image: The city of Derna on Tuesday, Sept. 12., 2023. Picture by: Libyan Government.
