Libya floods: Families' heartbreak as rescuers search for survivors

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, Hassan El Salheen, in Egypt, cries after burying the repatriated body of his son, Aly
  • Author, Aoife Walsh
  • Role, 大象传媒 News

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.

Image source, Reuters

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

Image source, Reuters

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

Image source, Reuters

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

Image source, Reuters

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

Image source, Reuters

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

Image source, Reuters

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

Image source, Getty Images

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

Image source, Reuters

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

Image source, Getty Images

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

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, Members of the Egyptian army inspect the damage

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