Death toll hits 5000 in Libya floods

The death toll so far from Storm Daniel in Libya has crossed 5000 according to the interior minister of the eastern government led by Gen Khalifa Belqasim Haftar.

Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing as well as mass burials for the thousands of bodies recovered so far. Entire neighborhoods were washed away into the sea when two dams collapsed which led to the collapse of bridges and the washing away of roads and other infrastructure.

Aid has begun arriving from different countries and more aid is expected, but there are concerns the political situation will hamper efforts to distribute aid to the most affected part of the country.

Over 10,000 people are still missing. Videos of the flood sweeping away cars and people have been circulating online. The eastern city of Derna is the worst affected area, it is estimated that over 2,000 people died in the city alone, and 6,000 persons are missing.