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At least 10,000 people are feared missing after a dam burst, sending a \u2018tsunami-like\u2019 flood through a city in Libya.<\/p>\n
Storm Daniel has moved across the Mediterranean to batter the North African country, causing catastrophic damage as it wiped out the eastern city of Derna.<\/p>\n
More than 1,000 bodies have already been recovered, the local administration said, with up to a quarter of the city in ruins after buildings were destroyed by fast moving floodwater.<\/p>\n
Thousands are missing and officials expect the death toll to climb much higher.<\/p>\n
Derna is a coastal city with around 125,000 residents \u2013 but today it is unrecognisable with overturned vehicles, fallen trees, and abandoned, flooded houses.<\/p>\n
The city is bisected by a seasonal river \u2013 but 11.5km upstream, an enormous dam collapsed. <\/p>\n
Videos show a powerful torrent of water flooding through Derna\u2019s city centre with ruined buildings on either side.<\/p>\n
Hichem Abu Chkiouat, minister of civil aviation and member of the emergency committee in the administration that controls the east of Libya, described apocalyptic scenes.<\/p>\n
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He said: \u2018I returned from Derna. It is very disastrous. Bodies are lying everywhere \u2013 in the sea, in the valleys, under the buildings.<\/p>\n
\u2018The number of bodies recovered in Derna is more 1,000.<\/p>\n
\u2018I am not exaggerating when I say that 25% of the city has disappeared. Many, many buildings have collapsed.\u2019<\/p>\n
He later added that the dam had not been properly maintained for some time, telling the BBC: \u2018I was shocked by what I saw, it\u2019s like a tsunami.<\/p>\n
\u2018A massive neighbourhood has been destroyed \u2013 there is a large number of victims, which is increasing each hour.<\/p>\n
\u2018Currently 1,500 dead. More than 2,000 missing. We don\u2019t have accurate figures but it\u2019s a calamity.\u2019<\/p>\n
Libya has been left in chaos since its long-term leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown and killed in 2011.<\/p>\n
Since then the country has been split in two, with an interim internationally recognised government operating from the capital of Tripoli, and another in the east.<\/p>\n
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This split is hampering rescue efforts, says Libyan journalist Abdulkader Assad, as authorities aren\u2019t able to respond quickly to natural disasters.<\/p>\n
He said: \u2018There are no rescue teams, there are no trained rescuers in Libya. Everything over the last 12 years was about war.<\/p>\n
\u2018There are two governments in Libya, and that is actually slowing down the help that is coming to Libya because it\u2019s a little bit confusing. <\/p>\n
\u2018You have people who are pledging help but the help is not coming.\u2019<\/p>\n
Locals are begging for help amid the rescue and recovery effort.<\/p>\n
Khalifa Touil, an ambulance worker, told local television station al-Masar: \u2018We have nothing to save people, no machines, we are asking for urgent help.\u2019<\/p>\n
Egypt, Germany, Iran, Italy, Qatar and Turkey are among the countries that have said they have sent or ready to send aid.<\/p>\n