Libya’s flood death toll passes 5,000 as fears grow the number will rise considerably

More than 5,000 bodies have been recovered from Libya’s flood-affected areas.

Local authorities fear the death toll could climb to 10,000.

The city of Derna has experienced the worst of the flooding after two burst dams wiped out a quarter of the city.

Before the floods, tens of thousands of people lived in Derna but the city now lies in ruins.

Entire communities washed away into the sea when the river burst its banks and the catastrophe was made far worse after two dams burst, unleashing torrents of raging water.

An international aid effort is underway but with roads cut and bridges destroyed, it could be days before help reaches people who need it the most.