A court in Libya has sentenced 12 current and former officials to up to 27 years in prison for their involvement in the collapse of two dams last year, which resulted in thousands of deaths. The dams, located outside the city of Derna, broke on September 11, 2023, after being overwhelmed by Storm Daniel, causing catastrophic flooding.
The Derna Criminal Court found the officials guilty of mismanagement, negligence, and contributing to the disaster. The defendants, responsible for managing the country’s dams, were given prison terms ranging from nine to 27 years. The court also ordered three defendants to return money obtained from illicit gains. Four other individuals were acquitted.
The collapse of the dams led to significant destruction in Derna, with a quarter of the city inundated. The World Health Organization reported over 4,000 flood-related deaths, while the Libyan Red Crescent cited a death toll of 11,300. The dams, built in the 1970s, had not been maintained for decades despite warnings and allocated funds for repairs. The disaster has prompted a renewed focus on infrastructure maintenance and accountability in Libya.