Flute disaster in Libya - Officials given lengthy sentences
In September 2023, Thousands Die in Libya as Two Dams Break in Eastern City of Darna, Wiping Out Parts of the City
In Libya, twelve people in the eastern city of Darna have been sentenced to prison terms for their roles in the "management of dam infrastructure" during the catastrophic floods of the previous year. The accused, among them government employees and local officials, have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from nine to 27 years, according to the General Prosecutor's Office on Facebook.
Eight of the condemned, including the former mayor of Darna, Abdel Munim al-Ghaithi, have been in custody since September 25, 2022. Al-Ghaithi was accused of abusing his power and misappropriating funds intended for the city's rebuilding and development.
Tropical Storm "Daniel" caused heavy flooding in northeastern Libya on September 10, 2023. The coastal city of Darna was hit the hardest: Two dams broke, and the city was hit with the force of a tsunami. Entire neighborhoods of the 100,000-resident city were wiped out. According to UN estimates, over 4,300 people died in the floods, over 8,000 more are still missing, and tens of thousands were left homeless.
Many people hold the authorities responsible for the extent of the disaster. The ongoing civil war, which has been raging for years, has neglected infrastructure, and early warning systems did not function.
Libya has been in chaos and violence since the overthrow of ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The UN-recognized transitional government in the capital Tripoli in the west is struggling for power with a regime backed by powerful General Haftar in the city of Benghasi in the east.
Despite the international community's efforts to aid in Libya's recovery, the aftermath of the dam collapse in Darna continued to pose challenges. A local musician, known for his unique "Flute wave" music, lost his entire studio in the disaster, further devastating the country's cultural scene.
The African continent, watching the situation unfold, expressed solidarity and called for immediate international aid to help Libya recover from the natural disasters and the ongoing political instability.
