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Libya floods: Families' heartbreak as rescuers search for survivors

14 September 2023

Aoife WalshBBC News

Hassan El Salheen, in Egypt, cries after burying the repatriated body of his son, Aly

Reuters Hassan El Salheen, weeps after burying the repatriated body of his son, Aly, — Hassan El Salheen, in Egypt, cries after burying the repatriated body of his son, Aly

More than 5,300 people are dead and thousands more are missing after ferocious flooding was unleashed on the Libyan city of Derna.

Entire neighbourhoods were dragged into the sea as tsunami-like floodwater swept through the eastern city after two dams burst.

Rescue workers have been digging through the ruins of collapsed buildings in a desperate search to find survivors, but hope is beginning to wane.

Mohamed Atef's mother, in Bani Swief province, Egypt, weeps as she tells of how son is still missing in Libya

Reuters Mohamed Atef's mother, cries as her son is missing in Libya after Storm Daniel hit the country, at Al Sharief village in Bani Swief province, Egypt — Mohamed Atef's mother, in Bani Swief province, Egypt, weeps as she tells of how son is still missing in Libya

Egypt recovered more than 80 bodies of Egyptians who died in Libya's floods, the emigration ministry said

Reuters Members of the rescue team from the Egyptian army inspect the damaged areas — Egypt recovered more than 80 bodies of Egyptians who died in Libya's floods, the emigration ministry said

The bodies were buried in their respective towns in Egypt, the ministry added

Reuters People gather as their relatives are missing in Libya after Storm Daniel hit the country, at Al Sharief village in Bani Swief province, Egypt — The bodies were buried in their respective towns in Egypt, the ministry added

At Al Sharief village in Egypt, a man shows a photo of his brother Aly, who died along with his three cousins in Libya

Reuters A man shows a photo of his brother Aly, who died along with his three cousins in Libya after Storm Daniel hit the country — At Al Sharief village in Egypt, a man shows a photo of his brother Aly, who died along with his three cousins in Libya

In Derna, the muddy streets were lined with the ruins of wrecked cars and rubble from collapsed buildings

Reuters People walk next to damaged houses, following a powerful storm and heavy rainfall hitting the country, in Derna, Libya — In Derna, the muddy streets were lined with the ruins of wrecked cars and rubble from collapsed buildings

The mayor of Derna said rescue workers have arrived from Egypt, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Qatar

Reuters Rescue workers look through rubble — The mayor of Derna said rescue workers have arrived from Egypt, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Qatar

About 30,000 people are estimated to have been displaced, officials in Libya said

Getty Images Turkey's rescue team joins search and rescue operations — About 30,000 people are estimated to have been displaced, officials in Libya said

Rescue teams and the Libyan Red Crescent search for victims in the sea

Reuters Rescue teams and the Libyan Red Crescent search for victims in the sea — Rescue teams and the Libyan Red Crescent search for victims in the sea

Authorities say there is an urgent need for rescue workers who specialise in recovering bodies

Getty Images Turkey's rescue team joins search and rescue operations — Authorities say there is an urgent need for rescue workers who specialise in recovering bodies

Members of the Egyptian army inspect the damage

Reuters Members of the Egyptian army inspect the damage — Members of the Egyptian army inspect the damage

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