At least 5,100 people have been confirmed dead and at least 10,000 people are missing after the severe storm in Libya.
But the authorities now fear that the death toll could rise to 20,000.
– We estimate that the number of deaths in the city could reach up to 18,000-20,000, says Darnah’s mayor to the television channel Al Arabiya.
Rescuers are still desperately searching through collapsed buildings for more victims. This after the devastating floods in the city of Darnah in Libya.
– There are bodies everywhere, in the houses, on the streets and in the sea, says aid worker Emad al-Falah from Benghazi, on the phone to AP.
According to local authorities, at least 5,100 people have been confirmed dead so far. The authorities announce that more than 10,000 people are missing after the torrential rains, and over 30,000 are without a home.
Now the death toll is feared to rise to 20,000, according to the country’s authorities.
– We estimate that the number of deaths in the city could reach up to 18,000-20,000 based on the number of districts destroyed by the flood, Darnah’s mayor, Abdulmenam al-Ghaith, told the Al Arabiya TV channel, reports Al Jazeera.
Satellite images show the devastation
Satellite images from Maxar Technologies show the enormous devastation after the torrential rains. Entire communities have been razed to the ground. Demolished houses and destroyed harbor areas can be seen in the pictures from the now obliterated city.
Spokespersons for the rescue service state that a quarter of the city has disappeared.
On Sunday afternoon, September 10, a powerful storm named Daniel struck eastern Libya, after earlier moving across Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey.
Offer help
The UN has promised the equivalent of just over SEK 110 million in support for survivors in the country.
Several EU countries have sent aid in the form of, among other things, hospital tents, food, water tanks and blankets.
Countries such as the United States, Algeria, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt and Tunisia have also offered help to Libya after the flood.