Russian rescue workers have discovered five more bodies in the flood-hit port city of Derna in eastern Libya, according to the Russian Civil Defence.

The rescue teams combed several kilometres of coastline as well as affected areas in the city and retrieved five bodies from the rubble in the last 24 hours, it said.

Russia Civil Defence said the country has set up field hospitals and sent specialists to contribute to the search and rescue operations in Derna.

A powerful storm dubbed Daniel hit eastern cities in Libya on Sept. 10 after earlier lashing Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey.

Two dams broke in the mountains above the port of Derna, washing away large city areas of around 100,000 people, with thousands feared dead.

In the past few days, conflicting figures have been reported from the politically divided nation about the death toll from the floods.

Libya, which is divided between warring administrations in east and west, has been in turmoil since the overthrow of Dictator Moamer Gaddafi in 2011.

Countless militias were still fighting for power and influence in the oil-rich country.

The conflict was further fuelled by foreign states.

All diplomatic efforts to settle the conflict peacefully have failed repeatedly.

International observers warned that a rapidly escalating public health crisis threatens Libya’s flood-hit areas.

There are growing concerns about a potential cholera outbreak which could affect survivors. 

(dpa/NAN)