Libya investigates “human factor” in flood disaster

"We have asked the Minister of Justice to investigate the flood disaster in Derna City. Anyone involved will be held responsible," said Mohamed al-Menfi. Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, written on social network X (new name of Twitter) on September 14.

The request for an investigation by authorities in the capital Tripoli - the UN-recognised government in Libya - comes as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said the huge loss of life in Derna could have been avoided if Libya had a functioning weather agency.

"If the Libyan meteorological service had been functioning normally, they would have issued a flood warning. From there, the emergency response agency could have evacuated and avoided most of the human casualties," Reuters quoted WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas in Geneva, Switzerland.

Libya điều tra “yếu tố con người” trong thảm họa lũ lụt - Ảnh 1.

The World Meteorological Organization said the huge loss of life could have been avoided if Libya had had a functioning weather service. Photo: AP

Libya điều tra “yếu tố con người” trong thảm họa lũ lụt - Ảnh 2.

Many buildings in Derna City were completely swept away - Photo: REUTERS

Libya điều tra “yếu tố con người” trong thảm họa lũ lụt - Ảnh 3.

An estimated 25% of Derna City was destroyed - Photo: REUTERS

The September 11 flooding disaster in the eastern Libyan city of Derna has also brought to light previous warnings, particularly a hydrological study last year that highlighted Derna’s vulnerability to flooding and the urgent need to maintain the dams that protect the city.

The devastating floods caused by Hurricane Daniel broke two dams upstream, sending a "7-meter-high tsunami" of water sweeping through Derna and nearby towns, sweeping many people out to sea.

The death toll so far is confirmed to be over 11,000 people and thousands more are still missing.

Derna Mayor Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi told Al Arabiya that the death toll could be as high as 18,000 to 20,000. "I am afraid that the city will be infected with disease due to the large number of bodies under the rubble and in the water," he added.

Libya điều tra “yếu tố con người” trong thảm họa lũ lụt - Ảnh 4.

Image of a car swept out to sea in Derna city in eastern Libya. Photo: AP

Rescue efforts continue with support from forces from Egypt, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Türkiye and Qatar.

Türkiye sent a ship carrying equipment to set up two field hospitals. Italy sent three supply and personnel planes and two naval ships.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said it would release $2 million from its emergency fund to support victims, calling the Libya floods a "large-scale disaster".

In the country of 7 million people, Libya, in addition to the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, the entire East is under the control of the Libyan National Army (LNA).

Derna is particularly chaotic, having been controlled by many Islamic armed groups before falling into the hands of the LNA.

Libya điều tra “yếu tố con người” trong thảm họa lũ lụt - Ảnh 6.

Satellite images of Derna City before and after it was flooded on September 11. Photo: Reuters

Losing many loved ones at once

The flood disaster that swept through the city of Derna in eastern Libya has left many people in pain as they lost many loved ones at the same time.

Usama Al Husadi, a 52-year-old driver, has been searching for his wife and five children. "I have walked everywhere looking for them... I have been to all the hospitals and schools but to no avail," Husadi told Reuters , crying. "I have lost at least 50 members of my paternal family."

Wali Eddin Mohamed Adam (Sudan nationality, 24 years old), a brick factory worker on the outskirts of Derna, said that the floods that swept through the night swept away nearly 10 of his colleagues.