/ 19 September 2023

Confusion over Libya’s death toll

F5wfORoXcAAGxRN

Yesterday, we told you about the United Nations’ death toll in Libya after flash floods ripped through the eastern city of Derna last week… The Libyan Red Crescent has cast doubt on the number, and the UN’s now revised it down from 11,300 deaths to 3,958, citing the number of deaths registered at hospitals. Still, at least 5,000 people are presumed dead, and 10,000 are missing, so the UN says that the new confirmed number is “likely an underestimation”. UN spokesperson Eri Kaneko says the situation on the ground, where entire neighbourhoods were flattened and washed out towards the sea, makes it hard to get exact numbers. It’s one of the few times when it’s not such a bad thing to be wrong…

Know someone who'd be interested in this story? Click to share...

The Squiz Today

Your shortcut to being informed, we've got your news needs covered.

Get the Squiz Today newsletter

Quick, agenda-free news that doesn't take itself too seriously. Get on it.