Decades of Neglect Lead to Libya Dam Disaster: Over 11,000 Killed in Floods After Warnings Went Unheeded

Experts warned for years that the Derna dams in Libya could burst and cause flooding, but the warnings went unheeded due to government dysfunction.

On September 11, 2023, the dams broke after heavy rains, unleashing floods that killed over 11,300 people in the coastal city of Derna.

The dams were built in the 1970s but had not been properly maintained for many years despite allocated funds.

There are investigations underway into why the dams were not repaired and who is responsible for the negligence.

Activists are calling for an international investigation, fearing a biased local probe due to Libya's factional politics and armed militias.