12 officials sentenced in Libya for last year’s flooding

Twelve officials in Libya have been sentenced over their roles in last year’s deadly flooding, marking a significant legal action.

Last Sunday, 12 present and past officials were awarded prison sentences of up to 27 years by a Libyan court for their roles in the downfall of two dams last year. The incident resulted in massive flooding that swamped through a coastal city, costing thousands their lives.

On September 11th, Storm Daniel brought heavy rainfall across eastern Libya and overwhelmed the two dams located outside of Derna. Consequently, these structures collapsed and caused significant damage to the city; officials reported that up to a quarter of it was flooded as entire neighborhoods were destroyed and individuals were swept out into the sea.

According to a statement released by the country’s leading prosecutor, 12 past and present officials were found guilty of mismanagement, negligence and oversights which played a role in causing the catastrophe. The verdict was pronounced by the Derna Criminal Court on Sunday.

The statement did not identify the defendants, but it revealed that they were in charge of overseeing the country’s dams. Their prison sentences ranged from nine to 27 years. Additionally, three defendants were instructed to return illegally acquired funds although no further details about this matter have been provided.

According to the court, four other individuals were acquitted.

In accordance with Libya’s legal system, the decision rendered on Sunday has the potential to be contested in a superior court.

Since 2011, when a civil war that started as an uprising supported by NATO overthrew and ultimately killed the autocratic ruler Moammar Gadhafi, chaos has gripped Libya – a nation in North Africa rich with oil resources. The country’s leadership authority is claimed separately by competing administrations but each of them receives support from national or international military forces and armed factions.

Gen. Khalifa Hifter has taken over control of the eastern part of the country with his self-proclaimed Libyan National Army, which is affiliated with a government that has been confirmed by parliament. However, there exists another opposing administration based in Tripoli and backed by most members of the international community.

In the 1970s, a Yugoslav construction firm constructed dams over Wadi Derna – a river valley that separates the city. Their purpose was to shield against flash floods since such incidents are frequent in this region. Unfortunately, scientists had warned about their possibility of rupturing yet they weren’t taken care of for years on end thereafter.

In 2021, a report from an audit agency funded by the state revealed that despite receiving over $2 million in funding for maintenance between 2012 and 2013, both dams were left without proper upkeep.

According to the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) under the U.N., Derna experienced up to one-third damage in its housing and infrastructure due to the water flood from dams.

According to the World Health Organization, over 4,000 fatalities have been recorded due to flooding. However, Libya’s Red Crescent leader had previously reported a death toll of 11,300. Additionally, OCHA stated that aside from the registered deaths there were at least 9,000 people who remained unaccounted for.