The article discusses a court verdict in Libya where 12 current and former officials were sentenced to prison terms of up to 27 years for their role in the collapse of two dams that resulted in a deadly flood in the city of Derna last year. The dams broke on Sept. 11 after being overwhelmed by Storm Daniel, causing heavy rain in eastern Libya. Thousands of people died as a wall of water swept through the city, destroying neighborhoods and leading to many fatalities. The court found the officials guilty of mismanagement, negligence, and mistakes that contributed to the disaster.
The court verdict stated that the defendants, who were responsible for managing the country’s dams, were convicted of various charges related to the collapse of the dams. Three of the defendants were also ordered to return illicitly gained money, although the statement did not provide further details. Additionally, four other individuals were acquitted of any wrongdoing in connection to the incident. The verdict can be appealed before a higher court under Libya’s judicial system.
The article also provides background information on the political situation in Libya, highlighting the ongoing chaos in the country since the 2011 uprising that led to the ousting and killing of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Various rival administrations with support from armed groups and foreign governments have vied for control of Libya, with General Khalifa Hifter leading the Libyan National Army in the east and a rival government based in Tripoli. The conflicting authorities have added to the challenges faced by Libya in terms of governance and stability.
The dams that collapsed in Derna were built in the 1970s to protect the city from flash floods, a common occurrence in the area. However, the structures had not been maintained for decades, despite warnings from scientists about their potential failure. A report by a state-run audit agency in 2021 revealed that the dams had not been properly maintained, despite funds allocated for that purpose in previous years. The flood from the dams caused significant damage to Derna’s housing and infrastructure, with estimates of thousands of deaths and missing persons reported by various organizations.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that as much as one-third of Derna’s housing and infrastructure was damaged by the flood, and the World Health Organization documented over 4,000 flood-related deaths. However, Libya’s Red Crescent previously cited a higher death toll of 11,300, indicating the scale of the tragedy. The article sheds light on the immense loss of life and destruction caused by the dam collapse, underscoring the importance of accountability for the officials responsible for the mismanagement and negligence that led to the disaster.
