The city of Derna in Libya has been left in shambles, with residents and rescue workers facing an overwhelming challenge. Thousands of bodies have either washed ashore or remain buried beneath the debris following a devastating flood that demolished buildings and swept people out to sea.
International organizations, including the World Health Organization, have made a plea to Libyan authorities, urging them to cease mass burials of flood victims. This practice is feared to inflict long-term emotional distress on grieving families and pose potential health hazards, especially if the burial sites are near water.
The gravity of the situation became apparent in a U.N. report revealing that over 1,000 people had already been laid to rest in mass graves. This catastrophe struck Libya, a nation already divided by a decade of conflict and political turmoil, when torrential rains from a Mediterranean storm inundated the region.
The scale of the disaster is staggering, with thousands dead and thousands more missing. “Bodies are littering the streets, washing back on shore, and are buried under collapsed buildings and debris,” warned Bilal Sablouh, the ICRC’s regional forensics manager for Africa.
Derna, located in eastern Libya, bore the brunt of the destruction as surging floodwaters from a typically dry riverbed breached two dams and toppled entire structures, catching families unaware in their sleep.
The International Organization for Migration reported that over 5,000 people are presumed dead, with 3,922 confirmed deaths in hospitals, and more than 38,640 individuals displaced in the flood-stricken northeastern region. Authorities fear the actual death toll may be even higher.
The specter of an epidemic looms, as the situation is exacerbated by the presence of bodies that have yet to be recovered. The urgency of the crisis has prompted calls for better-managed burials. International organizations, including the WHO, the ICRC, and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, are advocating for individual graves that are properly documented and delineated.
The consequences of hasty mass burials extend beyond the immediate health risks. They could also lead to profound emotional anguish for families and create social and legal complications. Fortunately, bodies of natural disaster victims typically do not pose health threats unless they come into contact with fresh water supplies.
The United Nations issued a report revealing that over 1,000 bodies in Derna and more than 100 in Al Bayda, another coastal city hit by flooding, have been interred in mass graves. International aid efforts are underway, with the ICRC sending 5,000 body bags to the region.
The Norwegian Refugee Council, which has a presence in Libya, emphasized that the most pressing concern is managing the deceased. Residents are growing frustrated with the fragmented response from authorities, as they struggle to cope with the aftermath.
The urgency of the situation is clear, as highlighted by U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths, who stressed the need for equipment to locate survivors trapped in sludge and damaged buildings. Additionally, there is a pressing need for primary healthcare to prevent a potential cholera outbreak among survivors. The priorities include shelter, food, and clean water.
As the world watches in sorrow, our thoughts are with the people of Libya, and we hope that such a tragedy never repeats itself.
