A year after two dams burst upstream from Derna, Libya, residents have let go of their hope of finding lost loved ones. The catastrophe, driven by torrential rains from Mediterranean storm Daniel on September 10, swept away thousands in the coastal city. Survivors describe horrific scenes where bodies were discovered faster than officials could account for them. Mohsen al-Sheikh lost 103 family members, with only four bodies found. "Those who were found were found, and those who weren't, weren't," he says. Many families like his in Derna were nearly wiped out, and inhabitants have since been struggling to rebuild their lives.
Buildings were destroyed, roads vanished, and over 30,000 residents were displaced as waters surged two stories high. Estimates from aid groups indicate between 4,000 and 11,000 died, with 9,000 to 10,000 still missing. In response to the disaster, Libya's criminal court sentenced 12 local officials to between nine and 29 years in prison for negligence in dam maintenance.
Reconstruction efforts have begun, despite the region's ongoing political instability. The Libya east-based parliament has earmarked 10 billion Libyan dinars (roughly $2 billion) for a development fund that would assist with building up Derna once more. The rebuilding includes apartments and bridges, although plans for new dams remain uncertain. International observers emphasize the necessity of coordinated, long-term reconstruction to revive the city. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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