Over 3,000 People Still Missing in Libya Flood Disaster

Over 3,000 People Still Missing in Libya Flood Disaster
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Libya’s General Authority for the Search and Identification of Missing Persons has released its first official tally of those missing from the catastrophic floods that devastated the city of Derna in September 2023, Anadolu Agency reported. The authority reports that 3,297 people are still unaccounted for.

According to Kamal al-Siwi, head of the authority, a total of 3,078 DNA samples have been collected and analyzed to create a genetic database of the victims. The devastating floods, caused by Storm Daniel, led to the collapse of the Al-Bilad and Abu Mansour dams, resulting in the deaths of 4,540 people.

In July 2024, the Derna Criminal Court sentenced 12 officials to prison for their roles in the dam collapses, which amplified the disaster’s impact. The ongoing search for the missing and the identification of victims remains a critical part of the recovery effort in the region.