Decades of Neglect Lead to Libya Dam Disaster: Over 11,000 Killed in Floods After Warnings Went Unheeded
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Experts warned for years that the Derna dams in Libya could burst and cause flooding, but the warnings went unheeded due to government dysfunction.
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On September 11, 2023, the dams broke after heavy rains, unleashing floods that killed over 11,300 people in the coastal city of Derna.
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The dams were built in the 1970s but had not been properly maintained for many years despite allocated funds.
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There are investigations underway into why the dams were not repaired and who is responsible for the negligence.
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Activists are calling for an international investigation, fearing a biased local probe due to Libya's factional politics and armed militias.