Libyan Authorities Investigating Dam Collapse and Devastating Flood in Derna (SEO Optimized, Creative, Unique, Improved Syntax and Tone, Increased Perplexity and Burstiness)
DERNA, Libya (AP) — Following the collapse of two dams that led to a catastrophic flood in Derna, Libyan authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The coastal city was hit by heavy rains caused by Mediterranean storm Daniel last weekend, resulting in deadly flooding across eastern Libya.
The surge of water, several meters high, raced through the center of Derna after overwhelming the dams. Entire neighborhoods were destroyed, and many people were swept out to sea. The Libyan Red Crescent has reported over 10,000 missing individuals, while the death toll stands at 11,300 confirmed fatalities.
Search and rescue teams, including the Doctors Without Borders aid group, are still scouring through debris, mud, and collapsed structures in the hopes of finding survivors and recovering more bodies. Claire Nicolet, the head of the emergencies department at Doctors Without Borders, expressed the challenges they face, mentioning the plethora of bodies still being discovered.
To compound the tragedy, the closure of aid efforts and the urgent need for psychological support for those who lost their families are imperative. The burial of bodies remains a significant challenge despite some progress in coordinating search and rescue missions and aid distribution.
Apart from the immediate aftermath, concerns over waterborne diseases and the displacement of explosive ordnance from previous conflicts have been raised by authorities and aid groups.
In a televised statement, Haider al-Saeih, head of Libya’s center for combating diseases, informed the public that at least 150 people had suffered from diarrhea after consuming contaminated water in Derna. He advised residents to only consume bottled water, which is being delivered as part of the relief efforts.
Turning attention towards accountability, Libya’s General Prosecutor, al-Sediq al-Sour, proclaimed an investigation into the dam collapse and the allocation of maintenance funds for the dams, which were constructed in the 1970s. Local authorities in Derna and previous governments will be scrutinized.
However, the inquiry itself presents a unique challenge due to the political situation in the country. Libya has experienced instability since the overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, resulting in a divided nation with rival administrations in the east and west, each supported by powerful militias and international backers. This has resulted in neglect of critical infrastructure, despite the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events due to climate change.
Jalel Harchaoui, an expert on Libya, emphasized the difficulty an investigation would face, as it could implicate influential figures from both eastern and western regions. The lack of accountability historically exhibited by the coalition led by General Khalifa Hifter in eastern Libya could obstruct the search for truth.
While local officials in Derna issued warnings about the oncoming storm and ordered coastal evacuations, the collapse of the dams caught residents unaware. The state-run audit agency’s report from 2021 revealed that the dams had not been adequately maintained, despite millions of dollars allocated for that purpose.
Troublingly, a Turkish firm contracted in 2007 to maintain the two dams and construct another nearby did not respond to requests for further comment.
Rescue teams, both local and international, continue to tirelessly search for bodies and survivors, focusing their efforts on the 90,000 inhabitants of the devastated city.
Ayoub, who lost his father and nephew, shared the heart-wrenching tale of his mother and sister escaping to the roof of their home, while others were unable to make it and were subsequently found lifeless. The grief and disbelief of the survivors are palpable in the face of this tragedy.
In response to the sheer number of missing individuals, Libya’s top prosecutor, al-Sour, urged residents with missing relatives to report to the forensic committee, responsible for documenting and identifying the bodies recovered.
Access to the flooded city has been restricted to facilitate search efforts, as many bodies are believed to be buried beneath rubble or carried out to sea. The government is concerned about the spread of disease, making containment and recovery efforts a top priority.
The storm’s impact was not limited to Derna alone. The towns of Bayda, Susa, Marj, and Shahatt in eastern Libya also experienced significant damage and saw tens of thousands of people displaced, seeking refuge in government buildings and schools.
The devastating flood claimed the lives of numerous foreigners, including those fleeing conflict-ridden regions, individuals seeking employment opportunities, and individuals hoping to migrate to Europe. Notably, 74 men from an Egyptian village and several Syrians who had traveled to Libya lost their lives.
As rescue and recovery operations persist, the people of Libya grapple with the aftermath of this human tragedy and the arduous task of rebuilding their lives amidst a fragmented nation.
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