Libyan representatives get imprisoned over floods that murdered thousands

(MENAFN) A Libyan court has sentenced 12 officials to prison in connection with the catastrophic flooding that devastated the coastal city of Derna last year, resulting in the deaths of thousands. The announcement came from Libya’s attorney general on Sunday, highlighting the serious consequences faced by those deemed responsible for the disaster.

The flooding, triggered by Storm Daniel in September 2023, led to the failure of two major dams and caused severe damage across Derna. The torrents swept entire neighborhoods into the Mediterranean, leaving a staggering official death toll of 4,352, according to the United Nations. As of now, several thousand people remain missing, presumed lost to the sea.

The convicted officials were responsible for managing water resources and maintaining the dams involved in the disaster. The attorney general’s statement on social media did not disclose the exact charges, but judicial sources revealed that the officials were prosecuted for “negligence, premeditated murder, and waste of public money.” Sentences handed down ranged from nine to 27 years in prison, with fines and orders to return illicit gains for three of the defendants. Four others were acquitted.

The case has brought attention to Libya’s ongoing struggles with governance and infrastructure. Abdewanees Ashoor, a Libyan researcher and hydrologist, attributed some of the disaster's root causes to the damage inflicted by the NATO-backed operation that overthrew Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. He suggested that the ensuing chaos, poor leadership, and corruption, particularly in handling funds for dam repairs, contributed significantly to the failure of the dams.

This legal action represents a significant move towards accountability in Libya, a nation grappling with the aftermath of conflict and systemic issues that have exacerbated its challenges.

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