Media reports from Libya say more than 1,000 bodies have already been buried after heavy rains caused flooding in the eastern city of Derna on Monday.
The reports say many people remain missing and the death toll may rise further.
Footage from the city shows a large section of a road submerged in water, with vehicles partially underwater.
Persistent rainfall across large parts of eastern Libya in recent days prompted authorities to take precautionary measures, including shutting down schools.
Officials say the heavy rains resulted in the closure of some highways and disruptions in communication. Local authorities are working to assess the full extent of the damage.