Death toll from Derna floods exceeds 4,500
The official death toll from the flash flood that hit Libya’s eastern city of Derna in September is 4,540, with at least 14 people facing charges in connection with the disaster, a report has said.
The Libyan Public Prosecution Authority said it had found that “negligence” led to the collapse of the Bilad and Sidi Bou Mansour dams near the coastal city, after heavy rain brought by Hurricane Daniel.
Several cities, including Benghazi, Al Bayda, Al Marj and Sousse, were affected by heavy flooding when the Mediterranean storm hit eastern Libya on September 10, but Derna suffered the worst as a torrent of water from the collapsed dams tore through its centre.
Many people were buried under mud or washed out to sea.
“The total number of registered deaths recorded in the flood disaster in Derna reached 4,540 people, including 3,964 citizens and 576 foreigners,” said the report, released on Friday.
“The lack of an alarm system in the two dams, the neglect of cleaning the upper hatches, and the neglect of regular maintenance contributed to the disaster.”
The drainage system in the valley was “not working as designed due to the accumulation of dirt for a year, without any maintenance”, the report read.
The investigation also found that the dams had developed cracks and major leaks before their collapse.
Authorities have detained 14 people so far, including the Mayor of Derna, Abdel Al Ghaithi, and officials in the city’s water resources authority.
Interpol Red Notices have been issued for two suspects who fled the country, the report read.
Years of conflict in Libya have led to widespread neglect of infrastructure.
“Dams in Libya and especially in the east of the country, haven’t received maintenance in years and management bodies haven’t provided adequate financial support and means to support the dams, which has led to adverse effects,” Malak Altaeb, a fellow at the Centre for Climate and Security, told