Libya Sentences 12 Officials Over Derna Dam Disaster

A Libyan court sentenced 12 officials to jail terms ranging from 9 to 27 years for their roles in the 2022 collapse of dams in Derna, which killed thousands. The verdict includes charges of negligence, premeditated murder, and misappropriation of public funds. Four officials were acquitted.

A Libyan court has sentenced 12 officials to prison terms of between 9 and 27 years for their roles in the devastating collapse of dams in Derna last year, according to the Attorney General. The disaster, triggered by Storm Daniel, resulted in thousands of deaths and mass destruction.

The convicted officials were responsible for overseeing the country's dams and were found guilty of negligence, premeditated murder, and waste of public money. Three of the defendants were also ordered to return money acquired through illicit means, as stated by the Attorney General's office in Tripoli. Four of the officials were acquitted.

A unified report by the World Bank, United Nations, and European Union in January highlighted that the flash floods in Derna were a climate and environmental disaster requiring $1.8 billion for reconstruction. The report attributed the dam failures to outdated designs and poor maintenance compounded by Libya's decade-long internal conflict.

(With inputs from agencies.)