Eastern Libya authorities say 2,000 dead in flood, thousands missing

A fallen tree branch is pictured as a powerful storm and heavy rainfall flooded hit Shahhat city, Libya, September 11, 2023. REUTERS/Omar Jarhman

BENGHAZI (Reuters) -Authorities in eastern Libya said at least 2,000 people were killed and thousands more were missing after a massive flood ripped through the city of Derna following a heavy storm and rain.

Ahmed Mismari, the spokesperson for the Libyan National Army (LNA) that controls eastern Libya, said in a televised news conference that the disaster came after dams above Derna had collapsed, "sweeping whole neighbourhoods with their residents into the sea".