Derna, Libya — In the aftermath of the devastating flood in Derna, Libya, authorities have initiated an inquiry into the collapse of two dams. This investigative effort comes as rescue teams continue to search for bodies nearly a week after the deluge claimed the lives of over 11,000 people. The deadly flooding, triggered by heavy rains from Mediterranean storm Daniel, overwhelmed the dams, leading to a high wall of water that destroyed entire neighborhoods and swept individuals out to sea. Search operations are ongoing, with over 10,000 people still missing, according to the Libyan Red Crescent. While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done, particularly in terms of providing psychological support for those who lost loved ones and addressing the challenge of burying the deceased. Concerns have also arisen regarding the spread of waterborne diseases and the potential presence of explosive ordnance left over from Libya’s previous conflicts.
To combat these issues, aid organizations are delivering bottled water to the affected areas to prevent waterborne illnesses. Meanwhile, Libya’s General Prosecutor, al-Sediq al-Sour, has vowed to investigate the collapse of the dams and the mismanagement of maintenance funds, potentially holding local authorities and previous governments accountable for any negligence. However, conducting such an investigation may prove challenging in a country that has experienced significant political turmoil since the overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. The divided governance and powerful militias that currently exist in Libya make it difficult to ensure cooperation and accountability.
The collapse of the dams has shed light on the broader issue of neglected infrastructure in Libya, exacerbated by the country’s political division and climate change’s impact on extreme weather events. Experts warn that conducting a thorough investigation may confront obstacles due to the lack of accountability among leadership in eastern and western Libya. The ongoing search for bodies and potential survivors continues in Derna, as local and international rescue teams work tirelessly to locate individuals amidst the devastation. Despite warnings about the approaching storm, there was no indication of the dams’ imminent collapse, which occurred during the early hours of Monday when most residents were asleep.
Authorities have implemented restrictions on access to the flooded city to aid search efforts, as many bodies are believed to be buried under rubble or swept out to sea. The storm also affected other areas in eastern Libya, displacing tens of thousands of people who sought shelter in government buildings. Tragically, among the victims were numerous foreigners who had fled war-torn regions or were passing through Libya with hopes of starting anew in Europe. The flood claimed the lives of at least 74 men from an Egyptian village and a significant number of individuals from Syria. As the region continues to recover from this catastrophic event, the need for support and aid remains crucial.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
