Update:Thousands feared dead in North Africa

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#Africa, September 19, 2023 – Over 15,000 people are reported dead or missing and the count is expected to rise following two natural disasters in Northern Africa early September.  Libya and Morocco are the affected countries.

More than 3,900 people have been confirmed dead and thousands more are missing in Eastern Libya, after the country was hit by a severe Storm (Daniel) on September 10th.  Libya was inundated with floodwater and the situation was exacerbated by the collapse of several dams.  Photos of the devastation showed collapsed highrises and smaller villages completely covered.

“Entire villages have been overwhelmed by the floods and the death toll continues to rise. Many families have lost all their belongings, and search and rescue workers are looking for people missing.  Tens of thousands of people are displaced with no prospect of going back home,” the Norwegian Refugee Council explained.

Thousands have been swept away in the floods and officials say many are feared dead. Around 9,000 people are unaccounted for according to the UN.  It’s the worst flooding incident in Africa in over a century.

Simultaneously, Morocco is dealing with aftershocks from the September 08th earthquake that took over 2800 lives; more than 25 have been felt so far.  The 6.8 magnitude quake hit the mountain regions at around 70 km from the country’s fourth largest city, Marrakesh, around 10 p.m.  The location of mountainous villages made rescue efforts difficult for volunteers.

Buildings suffered severe damage following the quake and residents are reported to be sleeping on the streets.  UN representatives are calling for donations of blood to help victims.

Photos and videos of the aftermath show entire buildings reduced to rubble while others have been cleaved open.

The UN and other rescue groups are on the ground currently and are requesting donations to help the two countries which are separated by Algeria.