<p>Libya's chief prosecutor has taken the initiative to investigate the recent collapse of the two dams that led to catastrophic floods, focusing on whether improved maintenance practices could have prevented this disaster, media reports said. “I reassure citizens that whoever made mistakes or negligence, prosecutors will certainly take firm measures, file a criminal case against him, and send him to trial,” Libya's Attorney General Al-Siddiq Al-Sour said at a news conference.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
He disclosed that approximately $8 million had been allocated for dam maintenance. The allocation and spending of maintenance funds will also be investigated.</p>

<p>This comes as the United Nations, on September 14, highlighted that many deaths in Libya's Derna resulting from the floods could have been averted if early warning and emergency management systems had been functioning properly.</p>

<p>In the aftermath of heavy rains brought by Mediterranean storm Daniel, eastern Libya experienced widespread flooding. This led to the collapse of two dams near the port city of Derna earlier in the week, resulting in severe damage to a quarter of the area, which was subsequently declared a disaster zone.</p>

<p>Media reports quoting&nbsp;Libya's Attorney General Al-Siddiq Al-Sour said that decades-old studies revealed cracks in the two dams. The dams were primarily built to safeguard the city from floods.</p>

<p>These studies indicated cracks and subsidence that could have eventually led to dam collapse, said Al-Sour.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-aid-groups-warn-of-disease-risk-as-country-struggles-to-recover-from-flood-636487">Libya: Aid groups warn of disease risk as country struggles to recover from flood</a></p>

<p>A team comprising 26 prosecutors will be dispatched to Derna to document victims and ascertain the causes of death, he said. As investigations are ongoing, an accurate count of the fatalities remains unavailable.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/up-to-south-to-change-rules-of-game-g77china-urges-for-new-global-order-at-cuba-summit-636568">'Up to South to change rules of game': G77+China urges for new global order at Cuba Summit</a></p>

<h2><strong>Staggering number of deaths</strong></h2>

<p>The Libyan Red Crescent reported that, as of Friday (September 15), at least 11,300 people have lost their lives, and an additional 10,100 were still missing in the wake of the devastating floods.</p>

<p>Derna's mayor Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi has&nbsp;expressed concerns that the death toll in Derna alone could exceed 20,000, given the extent of the damage.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | Libya: Death toll mounts, search ops continue</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Extreme rainfall&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Libya's National Center of Meteorology reported that more than 16 inches of rain fell within a 24-hour period in the northeastern city of Bayda. Climate experts have reportedly linked this disaster to the impacts of a warming planet, exacerbated by years of political instability and deteriorating infrastructure in the country.</p>

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Libya's chief prosecutor has taken the initiative to investigate the recent collapse of the two dams that led to catastrophic floods, focusing on whether improved maintenance practices could have prevented this disaster, media reports said.

Libya's chief prosecutor has taken the initiative to investigate the recent collapse of the two dams that led to catastrophic floods, focusing on whether improved maintenance practices could have prevented this disaster, media reports said. “I reassure citizens that whoever made mistakes or negligence, prosecutors will certainly take firm measures, file a criminal case against him, and send him to trial,” Libya's Attorney General Al-Siddiq Al-Sour said at a news conference. He disclosed that approximately $8 million had been allocated for dam maintenance. The allocation and spending of maintenance funds will also be investigated. This comes as the United Nations, on September 14, highlighted that many deaths in Libya's Derna resulting from the floods could have been averted if early warning and emergency management systems had been functioning properly. In the aftermath of heavy rains brought by Mediterranean storm Daniel, eastern Libya experienced widespread flooding. This led to the collapse of two dams near the port city of Derna earlier in the week, resulting in severe damage to a quarter of the area, which was subsequently declared a disaster zone. Media reports quoting Libya's Attorney General Al-Siddiq Al-Sour said that decades-old studies revealed cracks in the two dams. The dams were primarily built to safeguard the city from floods. These studies indicated cracks and subsidence that could have eventually led to dam collapse, said Al-Sour. Also Read | Libya: Aid groups warn of disease risk as country struggles to recover from flood A team comprising 26 prosecutors will be dispatched to Derna to document victims and ascertain the causes of death, he said. As investigations are ongoing, an accurate count of the fatalities remains unavailable. Also Read | 'Up to South to change rules of game': G77+China urges for new global order at Cuba Summit Staggering number of deaths The Libyan Red Crescent reported that, as of Friday (September 15), at least 11,300 people have lost their lives, and an additional 10,100 were still missing in the wake of the devastating floods. Derna's mayor Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi has expressed concerns that the death toll in Derna alone could exceed 20,000, given the extent of the damage. WATCH | Libya: Death toll mounts, search ops continue × Extreme rainfall Libya's National Center of Meteorology reported that more than 16 inches of rain fell within a 24-hour period in the northeastern city of Bayda. Climate experts have reportedly linked this disaster to the impacts of a warming planet, exacerbated by years of political instability and deteriorating infrastructure in the country. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Libya dam collapse: Probe launched into allocation of maintenance funds

<p>Death toll in deadly Libya floods in the eastern city of Derna has risen to at least 11,300, a UN report released Saturday (Sept 16) said.</p>

<p>Authorities and aid groups are continuing their search and rescue efforts amid all difficulties as they clear mud and debris with heavy machinery.</p>

<p>The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also mentioned that at least 170 people died outside the city of Derna due to massive storm.</p>

<p>“These figures are expected to rise as search-and-rescue crews work tirelessly to find survivors,” the report added.</p>

<p>At least 10,100 people are still missing, with the mayor of the city saying the death toll could very well cross the 20,000 mark.</p>

<h2><strong>40,000 people displaced</strong></h2>

<p>Around 40,000 people have been displaced in Derna, a coastal city in Libya which typically houses around 100,000 people.</p>

<p>As the two dams exploded on Tuesday (Sept 12) after Derna was hit by Storm Daniel, the city was split into two as floodwaters swept through the neighbourhood, destroying everything that came in the way towards the sea.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Libya: After horrifying floods, threat of diseases loom</strong></p>

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<p>“With thousands of displaced people now on the move, the risk of exposure to landmines and Explosive Ordnance of War (ERW) leftover from years of conflict is on the rise, as flood waters have now shifted landmines and ERW,” OCHA said.</p>

<p>Almost 300,000 children who were exposed to the flooding due to Storm Daniel face an increased risk of cholera, malnutrition, diarrhoea, and dehydration. The children also face “increased risks of violence and exploitation,” the report added.</p>

<h2><strong>Investigation launched</strong></h2>

<p>Prosecutor General Al-Seddik Al-Sour has now initiated an investigation into the collapse of the dams, with media reports saying the dams had cracks since 1998.</p>

<p>Sour said that the dams were built by a Yugoslav company in the 1970s, "not to collect water but to protect Derna from floods."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/africa/libya-dam-collapse-probe-launched-into-allocation-of-maintenance-funds-636599"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Libya dam collapse: Probe launched into allocation of maintenance funds</strong></a></p>

<p>In 1998, when the cracks were first discovered in the walls of the dams, experts from Italy had recommended Libya build a third dam to prevent the city from flooding.</p>

<h2><strong>Dam’s foundation problems</strong></h2>

<p>According to experts, the main reason behind the collapse of the dams was the foundation problem.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nadhir Al-Ansari, an expert in the design and safety of dams, was quoted as saying by The Conversation that inadequate spillway, poor construction and uneven settlement were few other reasons that can be blamed for the collapse.</p>

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Death toll in deadly Libya floods in the eastern city of Derna has risen to at least 11,300, a UN report released Saturday (Sept 16) said. Authorities and aid groups are continuing their search and rescue efforts amid all difficulties as they clear mud and debris with heavy machinery.

Death toll in deadly Libya floods in the eastern city of Derna has risen to at least 11,300, a UN report released Saturday (Sept 16) said. Authorities and aid groups are continuing their search and rescue efforts amid all difficulties as they clear mud and debris with heavy machinery. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also mentioned that at least 170 people died outside the city of Derna due to massive storm. “These figures are expected to rise as search-and-rescue crews work tirelessly to find survivors,” the report added. At least 10,100 people are still missing, with the mayor of the city saying the death toll could very well cross the 20,000 mark. 40,000 people displaced Around 40,000 people have been displaced in Derna, a coastal city in Libya which typically houses around 100,000 people. As the two dams exploded on Tuesday (Sept 12) after Derna was hit by Storm Daniel, the city was split into two as floodwaters swept through the neighbourhood, destroying everything that came in the way towards the sea. Watch: Libya: After horrifying floods, threat of diseases loom × “With thousands of displaced people now on the move, the risk of exposure to landmines and Explosive Ordnance of War (ERW) leftover from years of conflict is on the rise, as flood waters have now shifted landmines and ERW,” OCHA said. Almost 300,000 children who were exposed to the flooding due to Storm Daniel face an increased risk of cholera, malnutrition, diarrhoea, and dehydration. The children also face “increased risks of violence and exploitation,” the report added. Investigation launched Prosecutor General Al-Seddik Al-Sour has now initiated an investigation into the collapse of the dams, with media reports saying the dams had cracks since 1998. Sour said that the dams were built by a Yugoslav company in the 1970s, "not to collect water but to protect Derna from floods." Also read: Libya dam collapse: Probe launched into allocation of maintenance funds In 1998, when the cracks were first discovered in the walls of the dams, experts from Italy had recommended Libya build a third dam to prevent the city from flooding. Dam’s foundation problems According to experts, the main reason behind the collapse of the dams was the foundation problem. Nadhir Al-Ansari, an expert in the design and safety of dams, was quoted as saying by The Conversation that inadequate spillway, poor construction and uneven settlement were few other reasons that can be blamed for the collapse. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Libya floods: 300,000 children facing health crisis; 40,000 displaced; death toll might cross 20,000 mark

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidyFyGfibnaRVw" /><meta charset="utf-8" />The United Nations (UN) said on Thursday (September 14) that most of the <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-floods-un-agency-says-at-least-30000-left-homeless-in-derna-death-toll-expected-to-climb-635598">deaths due to floods in Libya's Derna </a></strong>could have been averted if early warning and emergency management systems had functioned properly. Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Petteri Taalas, head of the UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO), said, "With better functioning coordination in the crisis-wracked country, "they could have issued the warnings and the emergency management forces would have been able to carry out the evacuation of the people, and we could have avoided most of the human casualties."</p>

<p>Taalas said that the lack of weather forecasting and dissemination and action on early warnings was a large contributor to the size of the disaster. He also said that the years-long internal conflict in the country meant its meteorological "observing network has been very much destroyed, the IT systems have been destroyed."</p>

<p>"The flooding events came and there was no evacuation taking place because there was not the proper early warning systems in place," the WMO chief further told reporters. "Of course, we cannot fully avoid economic losses, but we could have also minimised those losses by having proper services in place," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Thousands dead, thousands more missing</strong></h2>

<p>The reported death toll due to the floods has crossed 5,000. Confirmed death tolls given by officials so far have varied, but the number is in thousands. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, Derna Mayor Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi said deaths in the city could reach 18,000-20,000, based on the extent of the damage.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We actually need teams specialised in recovering bodies," Mayor al-Ghaithi said, adding the city will be infected by an epidemic due to the large number of bodies under the rubble and in the water.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Several countries have rushed to provide relief aid to Libya including rescue teams, food, water emergency shelters, medical supplies and more body bags.</p>

<p>Climate experts have linked the disaster to the impacts of a heating planet combined with the country's years of chaos and decaying infrastructure.</p>

<p>The floods were caused by a huge Mediterranean storm Daniel that burst dams, swept away buildings, and wiped out as much as a quarter of the city. Storm Daniel gathered strength during an unusually hot summer and earlier lashed Turkey, Bulgaria and Greece.</p>

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The United Nations (UN) said on Thursday (September 14) that most of the deaths due to floods in Libya's Derna could have been averted if early warning and emergency management systems had functioned properly.

The United Nations (UN) said on Thursday (September 14) that most of the deaths due to floods in Libya's Derna could have been averted if early warning and emergency management systems had functioned properly. Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Petteri Taalas, head of the UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO), said, "With better functioning coordination in the crisis-wracked country, "they could have issued the warnings and the emergency management forces would have been able to carry out the evacuation of the people, and we could have avoided most of the human casualties." Taalas said that the lack of weather forecasting and dissemination and action on early warnings was a large contributor to the size of the disaster. He also said that the years-long internal conflict in the country meant its meteorological "observing network has been very much destroyed, the IT systems have been destroyed." "The flooding events came and there was no evacuation taking place because there was not the proper early warning systems in place," the WMO chief further told reporters. "Of course, we cannot fully avoid economic losses, but we could have also minimised those losses by having proper services in place," he added. Thousands dead, thousands more missing The reported death toll due to the floods has crossed 5,000. Confirmed death tolls given by officials so far have varied, but the number is in thousands. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, Derna Mayor Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi said deaths in the city could reach 18,000-20,000, based on the extent of the damage. "We actually need teams specialised in recovering bodies," Mayor al-Ghaithi said, adding the city will be infected by an epidemic due to the large number of bodies under the rubble and in the water. Several countries have rushed to provide relief aid to Libya including rescue teams, food, water emergency shelters, medical supplies and more body bags. Climate experts have linked the disaster to the impacts of a heating planet combined with the country's years of chaos and decaying infrastructure. The floods were caused by a huge Mediterranean storm Daniel that burst dams, swept away buildings, and wiped out as much as a quarter of the city. Storm Daniel gathered strength during an unusually hot summer and earlier lashed Turkey, Bulgaria and Greece. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Libya floods: UN says most casualties in Derna could have been averted

In pics | Libya: Over 2,000 dead as floods wipe out quarter of Derna city

Thousands of people are feared missing in Libya after Storm Daniel brought so much rain to the northeast that two dams collapsed in one region, sweeping entire neighborhoods into the sea.

‘Catastrophic’ flooding hits Libya, 2300 killed and 7000 injured

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Libya dam collapse: Probe launched into allocation of maintenance funds

Libya floods: 300,000 children facing health crisis; 40,000 displaced; death toll might cross 20,000 mark

Libya floods: UN says most casualties in Derna could have been averted

In pics | Libya: Over 2,000 dead as floods wipe out quarter of Derna city

‘Catastrophic’ flooding hits Libya, 2300 killed and 7000 injured