LIBYA: The mayor of the eastern Libya port city of Derna has estimated between 18,000 and 20,000 people have died in recent flooding.

Abdulmenam Al-Ghaithi said 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, he said.

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, BBC reported.

Rescue teams have arrived from countries including Egypt, Tunisia, Italy, Spain and Turkey.