Libyan court convicts 12 people of involvement in deadly floods that killed thousands – JURIST

A Libyan court on Sunday sentenced 12 people previously blamed for the deadly floods in 2023. The floods were caused by the collapse of two dams that killed thousands in Libya.

The Criminal Court in Derna heard cases against sixteen officials responsible for the dam collapses last year. Twelve of them were convicted of mismanagement and negligence. The statement from the Attorney General’s Office said the prison sentences imposed by the court ranged from nine to twenty-six years. Four defendants were acquitted of all charges and ordered to return illegally obtained money.

In early September 2023, the Abu Mansur Dam and Al-Bilad Dam burst outside the city of Derna during heavy rains from Storm Daniel. The disaster caused massive flooding as the dams held back a total of 24 million cubic feet of water. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the floods killed at least 4,000 people and left at least 25,000 homeless, with thousands of people missing. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the flooding damaged up to a third of homes in Derna. The dams, designed to protect the city from flash floods, were not properly maintained or repaired despite allocated funds, according to a 2021 government audit.

Since this judgment was handed down by the Durna Criminal Court, an appeal could be lodged with a higher court and the judgment could be overturned.