Libya is going through a critical phase after severe flooding that has already killed more than 11,000 people. In addition to the number of people who died after the disaster, there are also those who lost everything. Survivors in Derna, one of the hardest-hit towns, remember how things were before the tragedy and fear its subsequent consequences.
“The first thing I’m afraid of is that it will take a long time,” said professor Tarek Fahim al-Hasadi, 44, as quoted by Reuters.
The teacher’s wife and five grandchildren died in the flood. He and his son survived by climbing onto the roof of the house. Even though he has lost most of his family, he reports that he has no intention of leaving the area.
“This requires persistence and I am afraid that the support provided will be temporary,” he said.
Two dams collapsed on Monday, releasing a total of 33 million cubic meters of water and leaving entire residential areas behind.
Entire neighborhoods of Derna, estimated to have a population of at least 120,000, were leveled and buried in mud after two dams south of the city collapsed on Sunday evening, according to Reuters.
Thousands of people were buried in mass graves, prompting aid groups to warn of the risk of contaminated water or mental illness for families of the victims.
In addition to the death toll, more than 30 thousand are still missing.
“The situation is very, very tragic. We have never seen so much water damage,” said Qais, a rescue worker from Tunisia.
Author: morning Post
Source: CM Jornal
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