The Head of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohammed Menfi, has chaired an emergency meeting along with the Prime Minister, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, as well as a number of ministers who are part of the government’s emergency team, saying: “unified institutions are needed to contain the crisis in Derna.”
Speaking at the meeting, Menfi told the emergency team that the revival of Derna would take down-to-earth solutions, including fighting corruption, disallowing any party to take advantage of the crisis, obstruct the delivery of aids or even to seize them for their own benefit.
“We have asked the Attorney General to open an investigation into the disaster and we are monitoring the results, in addition to taking action against corrupt people. Institutional division is hindering relief and rescue efforts and making them inefficient.” Menfi said.
The Libyan Attorney General, Al-Siddiq Al-Sour, has announced the initiation of investigations into the bursting of two dams in Derna, eastern Libya, to unveil the reasons that could have been triggered by “corruption and negligence.”
Al-Sour vowed in a statement to Libyan News Agency (LANA) in Derna on Friday to bring to justice anyone found guilty of wrongdoings. He said charges against possible violators could only be made after the probe had ended.
Storm Daniel hit eastern coastal cities, especially Derna, Al-Bayda and Al-Marj, on Saturday. Two dams collapsed in Derna valley, washing away entire neighborhoods and killing entire families. The flood torrent obliterated around a quarter or the Mediterranean city of Derna.
The mayor of Derna, Abdelmonem Al-Ghaithi, told Libya Alahrar TV that the number of deaths could reach as high as 18,000 to 20,000 based on the destroyed buildings and houses in the ravaged city. However, other estimates, especially the statement of the Health Minister of the east-based government, Othman Abduljalil, said the official records in eastern Libya had registered 3,166 deaths up until September 15.
