Minister Othman Abdel Jalil said Derna, 900km from east Tripoli, has been declared a disaster zone, asking for international help.

The Libyan government earlier announced that Mediterranean storm Daniel caused devastating floods that swept away entire neighborhoods and wrecked homes in multiple coastal towns in the east of the North African nation. As many as 2,000 people were feared dead and thousands missing. Two dams had collapsed under the pressure of flooding and bridges were destroyed.

Libya's eastern-based parliament declared three days of mourning. Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, prime minister of the interim government in Tripoli, also declared three days of mourning in all the affected cities. Many countries and international organizations have sent condolences, expressed their willingness to help Libya overcome the consequences of the natural disaster.