Libyan authorities have opened an investigation into the collapse of two dams that caused a devastating flood in the coastal city of Derna, as rescue teams searched for bodies on Saturday, nearly a week after the deluge killed more than 11,000 people.
The Associated PressDrone footage released on Saturday shows the wide-scale destruction and water-flooded land in the ravaged Libyan city of Derna, in the aftermath of the deadliest storm to hit the country in decades.
The torrent of water unleashed Sunday night hurtled down a seasonal riverbed that bisects Derna, washing multi-storey buildings into the sea. Authorities and aid groups have voiced concerns about the spread of waterborne diseases and shifting of explosive ordnance from Libya's recent conflicts.Haider al-Saeih, head of Libya's centre for combating diseases, said in televised comments on Saturday that at least 150 people had suffered from diarrhea after drinking contaminated water in Derna. He urged residents to drink only bottled water, which is being shipped in as part of relief efforts.
"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," he told a news conference in Derna late Friday. Local officials in the city had warned the public about the coming storm, and last Saturday it ordered residents to evacuate coastal areas in Derna, fearing a surge from the sea. But there was no warning about the dams, which collapsed early Monday as most residents were asleep in their homes.
"I found the kid in the water next to his grandfather," said Ayoub, who gave only his first name. "I am wandering around and I still don't believe what happened."Al-Sour, the top prosecutor, called on residents who have missing relatives to report to a forensic committee that works on documenting and identifying retrieved bodies.
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Death toll soars to 11,300 in flooding in Libya's coastal city of Derna, Libyan Red Crescent saysDERNA, Libya (AP) — The Libyan Red Crescent said Thursday that the death toll from floods in Libya's eastern Libyan city of Derna has soared to 11,300, as search efforts continue, Marie el-Drese, Secratery General of aid group, told the Associated Pr
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Death toll soars to 11,300 in flooding in Libya's coastal city of Derna, Libyan Red Crescent saysDERNA, Libya (AP) — The Libyan Red Crescent said Thursday that the death toll from floods in Libya's eastern Libyan city of Derna has soared to 11,300, as search efforts continue, Marie el-Drese, Secratery General of aid group, told the Associated Pr
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