DERNA, Libya -- A week after a tsunami-sized flash flood devastated the Libyan coastal city of Derna, sweeping thousands to their deaths, the international aid effort gained pace on Sunday to help the grieving survivors.
Search-and-rescue teams wearing face masks and protective suits kept up the grim search for any survivors who may still be trapped in the mud-caked wasteland of smashed buildings, crushed cars and uprooted trees.
The aid effort has been hampered by the political division of Libya, which was thrown into war and chaos after a 2011 NATO-backed uprising led to the overthrow and killing of veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned on Sunday that the eventual death toll from Derna alone could be as high as 11,300, with another 10,100 missing.
The rapidly rising waters burst two upstream river dams in Derna, sending a late-night tidal wave crashing through the centre of the city of 100,000, sweeping entire residential blocks into the Mediterranean. A rescue crew from Malta's Civil Protection Department said it discovered a beach strewn with bodies on Friday, the Times of Malta newspaper reported.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Libya’s flood-ravaged Derna in hunt for missingDerna, Libya—Emergency teams on Friday kept up their search for the thousands still posted as missing from the tsunami-sized flash
Read more »
Death toll from Libya floods rises to 11,300 in Derna: UNThe death toll from catastrophic flooding in Libya's eastern city of Derna has climbed to 11,300, the United Nations said
Read more »
Aid arrives in flood-hit Libya, death toll estimated at 11,300DERNA: A week after a wall of water rushed through the Libyan coastal city of Derna, sweeping thousands to their deaths, the focus turned Sunday to caring for survivors of the disaster.
Read more »
Aid arrives in flood-hit Libya but hopes fade for survivorsDERNA, Libya -- Shipments of international aid began to arrive in Libya on Saturday, offering a lifeline to thousands despite dwindling hopes of finding more survivors days after deadly flash floods.
Read more »
Aid arrives as Libya copes with flooding aftermathA week after a wall of water rushed through the Libyan city of Derna, sweeping thousands to their deaths, the
Read more »
Russia sends doctors, aid to flood-stricken LibyaMOSCOW, Russia -- Russia said it has sent 35 emergency doctors and humanitarian aid to eastern Libya, after the country was hit by unprecedented flooding a week ago.
Read more »