A court in Libya has handed down sentences to 12 current and former officials following the collapse of two dams near Derna last year. The incident, triggered by Storm Daniel, resulted in catastrophic flooding that devastated the coastal city, claiming thousands of lives.
According to the country’s top prosecutor, The Derna Criminal Court found the officials guilty of mismanagement, negligence, and errors that contributed to the disaster. Prison terms ranged from nine to 27 years for those responsible for overseeing Libya’s dams. Additionally, three defendants were instructed to repay illicitly obtained funds.
Four individuals were acquitted by the court, with the verdict open to appeal under Libya’s judicial system.
Constructed in the 1970s above the Wadi Derna river valley, the dams were designed to protect the city from flash floods. However, years of neglect despite warnings from scientists led to their collapse during the 2023 storm, inundating a significant portion of Derna and causing extensive damage to housing and infrastructure.
The aftermath of the disaster was dire, with conflicting reports on the number of casualties. While the World Health Organization recorded over 4,000 flood-related deaths, Libya’s Red Crescent cited a toll exceeding 11,300. Alongside the confirmed deaths, at least 9,000 people were reported missing, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Since the overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, Libya has faced ongoing turmoil, characterized by rival administrations supported by armed factions and foreign powers.
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