The mayor of the eastern Libya port city of Derna estimates between 18,000 and 20,000 people have died in flooding
Abdulmenam Al-Ghaithi told al-Arabiya TV his estimate was based on the number of districts completely destroyed when two dams burst
More than 5,000 people are known to have died, and at least 10,000 are missing
Streets were swept away in the torrents and bodies are being recovered from the sea
The two rival governments in Libya are co-ordinating relief efforts for flood victims
Rescue teams have arrived from countries including Egypt, Tunisia, Italy, Spain and Turkey.
The Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity Abdul Hamid Al-Dabaiba has suspended learning countrywide for 10 days, in a show of solidarity with Libyans affected by the 11 September floods.
Libya’s internationally-recognised Government of National Unity, which is based in the capital, Tripoli, made the announcement late on Wednesday.
Libya’s two rival governments, the internationally-recognised Government of National Unity led by PM Al-Dabaiba and the eastern Libya government, led by PM Osama Hamad, have both been undertaking response efforts in the flood-afflicted eastern Libya.
The announcement added that the suspension of learning will allow schools to be used as temporary shelters for flood survivors.
BBC