Derna dam collapses explained

Derna dam collapses
Duration:September 10–11, 2023
Total Damages:Two dams collapsed, thousands of properties destroyed
Total Fatalities:5,923[1] [2] [3] [4]
Missing:8,000+
Areas Affected:Wadi Derna, Derna District, Libya
Cause:Storm Daniel, global warming, engineering flaws, policy errors, possible military damage from preceding battles

The Derna dam collapses were the catastrophic failures of two dams in Derna, Libya, on the night of 10–11 September 2023, in the aftermath of Storm Daniel. The dam collapses released an estimated 30sp=usNaNsp=us of water,[5] causing flooding downstream as the Wadi Derna overflowed its banks.[6] [7] The floods partially destroyed the city of Derna. Estimates for the number of casualties range from 5,900 to 20,000 people.[1] [8] The event was the second-deadliest dam failure in history, after the 1975 Banqiao Dam failure in China.

Background

Dam construction

The collapsed dams were built under Muammar Gaddafi's government by Yugoslav company Hidrotehnika-Hidroenergetika[9] in the 1970s to control flooding,[10] irrigate agricultural lands and provide water to nearby communities.[11] They were described as clay-filled embankment dams with a height of 75 meters (Derna dam) and 45 meters (Mansour dam). The Mansour (or Abu Mansour) dam had a water storage capacity of 1.5 million cubic meters, while the Derna (or Belad[12]) dam upstream had a capacity of 22.5 million cubic meters[12] (1.5 million cubic meters by another source[11]).

Locations

Political situation

The scale of the disaster in Derna was attributed to decades of neglect of the region by and following the rule of Muammar Gaddafi.[11] [13] [14] Throughout the 2010s the city was a battleground, during the Libyan civil war, concurrent NATO intervention, and conflicts between rival governments established after Gaddafi's overthrow.[14] After Gaddafi's overthrow, the city changed hands four times. The city was under the Islamic State's rule from 2014 to 2018.

Warnings

Cracks had been reported in the dams as early as 1998.[15] Derna's deputy mayor said that the dams had not been maintained since 2002 and were not built to withstand such volumes of water.[16] According to a state-run audit agency, the lack of maintenance occurred despite the allocation of more than €2 million for that purpose in 2012 and 2013.[17] However, a Turkish construction firm called Arsel Construction Company Limited claimed that it had been contracted to do maintenance work on the dam and build another one in 2007, and stated on its website that it completed that work in 2012.[18]

As recently as 2022, a researcher at the Omar Al-Mukhtar University in Bayda, Libya had warned in a paper that the dams needed urgent attention, pointing out that there was "a high potential for flood risk".[19] [20] The paper also called officials to urgently carry out maintenance on the dams, prophetically stating that "(in) a huge flood, the results will be catastrophic".[19] [20] The Wadi Derna had been known to be prone to flooding, having experienced four major floods in 1942, 1959, 1968 and 1986.[20]

Storm Daniel

See main article: Storm Daniel. Immediately before the dam failures, Storm Daniel caused extreme rainfall across northeastern Libya. Between September 4 and 10 September the storm caused torrential rain in Greece and the Balkans, intensified into a Mediterranean cyclone, and moved South across the Mediterranean. On September 10, the storm made landfall in Libya near the city of Benghazi.[21] Twenty-four-hour rainfall totals of 150–240 mm were recorded across northeastern Libya, and winds reached 70–80 mph.[22] Daniel moved east and continued inland before degenerating into a low pressure-area, and the storm dissipated by 12 September.[23]

Collapse

Prior to the storm, residents were prevented from leaving their homes after authorities imposed a precautionary curfew on 10 September 2023.[24]

It is believed that the Derna dam, located at the convergence of two river valleys, collapsed initially.[25] The released waters rushed 12km (07miles) towards the sea and overwhelmed the Mansur dam, which was already under stress from rising water levels in its reservoir.[5] Residents recalled hearing loud explosions at the time the dams burst.[26]

These waters swept through Derna with video showing the flood reaching the city shortly before 03:00 EET (UTC+2:00) on 11 September.[27] Videos posted to social media showed cars being submerged in the deluge.[28] Prime Minister Osama Hamada stated that residential neighborhoods were swept away, while Hamada's aviation minister Hisham Chkiouat said that Derna looked as if it had been hit by a "tsunami". He also said that 25% of the city had "disappeared",[29] with large parts of the city dragged out to the Mediterranean Sea.[30]

Hospitals in the city were rendered inoperable while morgues filled up, prompting bodies to be laid out on sidewalks[31] and in the city's main square. More than 300 bodies were sent to a morgue in Tobruk to cope with the overcrowding.[32] More than 1,000 bodies were later buried in mass graves.[33] Naval teams were dispatched to recover bodies swept out to sea by the floods.[25] Over the succeeding days, at least 200 bodies were found washed up as far as 20 kilometers from Derna.[34] Others were found more than 100km (100miles) from the city.[33] One person was rescued after being found 11 nautical miles off the coast of Derna.[35]

Damage and casualties

Casualty estimates of the disaster vary widely. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs gave an estimate of 11,300 dead,[35] but later withdrew that number.[36] Othman Abduljalil, the health minister of Libya's Government of National Stability at the time, said 6,000 people were missing in Derna alone.[31] The mayor of Derna, Abdulmenam Al-Ghaithi, told al-Arabiya that the final death toll in the city could range from 18,000 to 20,000, equivalent to a fifth of the city's population.[8] [37]

Only three of the city's ten districts escaped the flooding,[38] while five out of seven entry routes into Derna were rendered inaccessible.[39] The collapse of four bridges along the Wadi Derna effectively split the city into two.[40] An analysis by the United Nations showed that more than 2,200 buildings in the city were flooded.[41] Over 40,000 people were 'displaced'.[42]

Aftermath

Protesters called for officials in Libya's eastern government to be sacked for failing to maintain the dam or issue an evacuation order. On 18 September, the home of Derna's mayor Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi was burnt down.[43] On 25 September, al-Ghaithi and several other officials were detained over mismanagement and negligence accusations following the dam collapse.[44]

On 28 July 2024, 12 officials responsible for managing water resources and maintaining the dams received jail sentences.[45]

Reactions

Domestic

The Libyan Presidential Council based in Tripoli declared the cities of Derna, Shahhat, and Bayda disaster zones,[46] while the Tripoli-based Health Ministry dispatched a plane carrying 14 tons of medical equipment, drugs, body bags, and personnel to Benghazi on 12 September.[47] The House of Representatives (HoR) based in Benghazi, which controls most of the areas affected, declared three days of national mourning, as did the internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) based in Tripoli led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah.[48] Dbeibah pledged an investigation over the extensive damage, as well as the allotment of 2.5 billion Libyan dinars ($515 million) to help rebuild Derna and Benghazi,[49] while the House of Representatives unveiled a nearly $2 billion budget for relief efforts.[50] Dbeibah also announced the establishment of a meticulous evaluation process for foreign aid, saying that they would "only accept aid that is deemed necessary."[51] On 14 September, Dbeibah took responsibility for the collapse of the dam and the failure to enact its maintenance.[52] On 15 September, Libyan General Prosecutor al-Sediq al-Sour announced that he would open an investigation into the disaster in Derna. Ordinary Libyans also responded to calls for help on social media, with individuals as far away as Zawiya, in GNU-controlled territory west of Tripoli, volunteering to go to Derna to assist in relief efforts.[53]

The first relief convoys arrived in Derna late on 12 September.[54]

The United Nations noted that the rival governments had been coordinating with each other regarding the relief efforts.[55] On 13 September, a GNU ministerial delegation left Tripoli to assess the damage in Derna. At the same time, reports emerged of the Libyan National Army—commanded by Khalifa Haftar—preventing journalists from entering the city and confiscating their phones.[56] Haftar himself promised promotions to soldiers who participated in the relief efforts.[57]

On 13 September, evacuations were advised by authorities for the town of Tocra, west of Derna, after they warned that a dam in the area was at risk of collapse.[58]

On 14 September, the port of Derna was reopened to vessels with a draft of no more than 6.5 meters delivering humanitarian aid,[59] while electricity was restored to the western part of the city.[60] On the same day, the Libyan Ambulance and Emergency Service announced that remaining residents of Derna were to be evacuated and the city closed except for search-and-rescue teams.[61] The Libyan disease control agency reported on 15 September that at least 150 people had contracted diarrhea in Derna after drinking contaminated water.

International

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said that he would deploy the country's military in coordination with eastern Libyan forces to help in relief operations. He also declared three days of national mourning for the victims of the floods as well as those of the 2023 Moroccan earthquake on 8 September.[62] A military delegation led by armed forces chief of staff Osama Askar went to eastern Libya on 12 September to meet with Khalifa Haftar. The delegation included 25 rescue teams and three military aircraft carrying humanitarian supplies.[63] The bodies of 84 Egyptians who were killed in Derna were repatriated from Tobruk and buried on 13 September.[64]

Following a request from the chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed al-Menfi, Algeria sent eight Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft carrying humanitarian aid that included food supplies, medical equipment, clothing, and tents.[65] [66]

On 12 September, Italy activated its civil protection departments, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stating an assessment team was on their way.[67] Anne-Claire Legendre, a spokesperson for France's foreign ministry, announced that the country was ready to respond to requests made by Libya's government.[68] EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the organization was on stand-by to bring support, while the commission's president Ursula von der Leyen expressed condolences. Member states Germany, Romania and Finland subsequently sent aid. The World Health Organization sent a shipment consisting of 40 tons of aid to Libya. The United Nations allocated $10 million for disaster relief.[69]

Tunisia, Germany, Qatar, Iran, Malta, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates additionally pledged humanitarian assistance to Libya.[70]

In the weeks following the disaster, journalists from around the world reported great difficulty getting into the city, being turned away at airports or needing authorization to enter. Many rescue workers were similarly restricted.[71]

The dam failures heightened awareness of the risk of dam collapses around the world. Specific attention was given to Mullaperiyar Dam in India, which was at risk of failure.[72]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Libya Assistance Overview, April 2024 . ReliefWeb . USAID . 2 May 2024.
  2. Web site: Libya: Flood update Flash Update No.7 (23 September 2023) (as of 4pm local time) [EN/AR] ]. reliefweb.int . 24 September 2023 . 26 September 2023.
  3. Web site: Libya: Flood Response Humanitarian Update (As of 10 October 2023) [EN/AR] ]. reliefweb.int . 11 October 2023 . 13 October 2023.
  4. Web site: Libya: Flood Response Humanitarian Update (as of 15 December 2023) - Libya ReliefWeb . reliefweb.int . 20 December 2023 . en . 18 December 2023.
  5. Web site: 2023-09-13 . Why did Derna's dams break when Storm Daniel hit Libya? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230914105531/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/13/why-did-dernas-dams-break-when-storm-daniel-hit-libya . 14 September 2023 . 2023-09-13 . Aljazeera . en.
  6. Web site: Magdy . Samy . 12 September 2023 . 10,000 people are missing and thousands are feared dead as eastern Libya is devastated by floods . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230912202455/https://apnews.com/article/derna-libya-floods-storm-daniel-95379b164871d97fb74b1cd1bcb5640c . 12 September 2023 . 12 September 2023 . AP News.
  7. Web site: 12 September 2023 . Libya: Flash Floods In Derna . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230912212740/https://www.barrons.com/news/libya-flash-floods-in-derna-5752f323 . 12 September 2023 . 12 September 2023 . Barron's.
  8. Web site: Libya floods: Warning over shortage of body bags as fears of disease rise in Derna . 2023-09-17 . Sky News . en . 2023-09-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915082015/https://news.sky.com/story/libya-warning-over-shortage-of-body-bags-as-disease-may-compound-deaths-in-flood-hit-city-12960801 . live .
  9. Web site: Wadi Derna . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915224652/https://www.hidrotehnika.rs/en/libya/wadi-derna/ . 15 September 2023 . 2023-09-15 . hidrotehnika.rs.
  10. Web site: Derna: The Libyan city known for rebellion — and neglect . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915224646/https://www.dw.com/en/derna-the-libyan-city-known-for-rebellion-and-neglect/a-66822261 . 15 September 2023 . 2023-09-15 . dw.com . en.
  11. Web site: 2023-09-13 . Libya's deadly dam collapse was decades in the making . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230914060642/https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20230913-libya-s-deadly-dam-collapse-was-decades-in-the-making . 14 September 2023 . 2023-09-13 . France 24 . en.
  12. Web site: Libya was mired in chaos and corruption. For years, warnings the Derna dams may burst went unheeded . Associated Press . 18 September 2023 . 18 September 2023 . 18 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230918072821/https://apnews.com/article/libya-derna-dams-collapse-floods-corruption-neglect-chaos-45f76d2ac76be634865539a27b518ada . live .
  13. Web site: Pietromarchi . Virginia . 2023-09-14 . Natural disaster or man-made, why was Libya so vulnerable to floods? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915002734/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/14/natural-disaster-or-man-made-why-was-libya-so-vulnerable-to-floods . 15 September 2023 . 2023-09-14 . Aljazeera . en.
  14. Web site: Chibelushi . Wedaeli . 2023-09-13 . Libya turmoil made Derna flooding even more deadly . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230914080840/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66797307 . 14 September 2023 . 2023-09-13 . BBC . en.
  15. Web site: 2023-09-17 . Aid arrives as Libya copes with flooding aftermath . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230917070018/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230917-aid-arrives-as-libya-copes-with-flooding-aftermath . 17 September 2023 . 2023-09-17 . France 24 . en.
  16. Web site: 2023-09-13 . Deputy mayor of Derna, Libya's flooded city, describes situation . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230913010339/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/12/infrastructure-in-libyas-derna-not-built-to-withstand-storm-deputy-mayor . 13 September 2023 . 2023-09-14 . Al Jazeera . en.
  17. Web site: 2023-09-14 . Libyan city buries thousands in mass graves after flood as mayor says death toll could triple . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230914110039/https://apnews.com/article/libya-floods-derna-storm-daniel-mass-graves-21b1a195d261a642e12dac13f0d19431 . 14 September 2023 . 2023-09-14 . Associated Press . en.
  18. Web site: 16 September 2023 . 'Disaster of epic proportions': Libya prosecutor probes deadly dam collapse . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230916203730/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/16/disaster-of-epic-proportions-libya-prosecutor-probes-deadly-dam-collapse . 16 September 2023 . 16 September 2023 . Aljazeera.
  19. Ashoor . Abdelwanees A. R . 2022-07-26 . 2022--> . ar: (SCS-CN) نموذج عمق الجريان السطحي لحوض وادي درنة بالتكامل بين تقنيات نظم املعلومات الجغر افية و تقدير . Estimation of the surface runoff depth of Wadi Derna Basin by integrating the geographic information systems and Soil Conservation Service (SCS-CN) model . live . PDF . Journal of Pure & Applied Sciences . Arabic . Sebha University Press . 2022-11-27 . 21 . 2 . 90–100 . 10.51984/jopas.v21i2 . 2521-9200 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915110914/https://sebhau.edu.ly/journal/jopas/article/view/2137 . 15 September 2023 . 15 September 2023. free .
  20. Web site: Pielke Jr. . Roger A. . Roger A. Pielke Jr. . 2023-09-13 . Trends in Flooding in Africa . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230916042410/https://rogerpielkejr.substack.com/p/trends-in-flooding-in-africa . 16 September 2023 . 2023-09-15 . The Honest Broker.
  21. Web site: Storm Daniel's deadly flooding spreads to Libya . 2023-09-16 . weatherzone.com.au . en . 15 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915132313/https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/storm-daniels-deadly-flooding-spreads-to-libya/1501426 . live .
  22. News: 2023-09-15 . Weather tracker: Libya floods caused by Storm Daniel 'medicane' . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-09-18 . 0261-3077 . 2023-09-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230917204357/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/15/weather-tracker-libya-floods-storm-daniel-medicane . live .
  23. Web site: 2023-09-12 . Hurricane Daniel dissipates, potential impact on Jordan's weather . 2023-09-16 . Jordan News . en . 17 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230917022228/https://www.jordannews.jo/Section-109/News/Hurricane-Daniel-dissipates-potential-impact-on-Jordan-s-weather-30851 . live .
  24. Web site: Ebrahim . Nadeem . 'We knew ahead of time': A decade of turmoil left Libya unprepared for a catastrophic storm . CNN . 14 September 2023 . 19 September 2023 . 18 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230918210646/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/13/middleeast/libya-flood-political-rift-mime-intl/index.html . live .
  25. Web site: 2023-09-13 . Libya floods wipe out quarter of city, thousands dead . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230912111247/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/more-than-1000-bodies-recovered-libyan-city-after-floods-minister-2023-09-12/ . 12 September 2023 . 2023-09-13 . Reuters . en.
  26. Web site: 12 September 2023 . Hundreds buried in mass graves as Libya reels from devastating flooding . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230913004808/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/12/hundreds-buried-in-mass-graves-as-libya-reels-from-devastating-flooding . 13 September 2023 . 13 September 2023 . Aljazeera.
  27. News: CCTV shows cars swept away in Libya flooding . en-GB . BBC News . 2023-09-15 . 16 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230916042334/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-66822697 . live .
  28. Web site: 2023-09-11 . Flooding in eastern Libya after weekend storm leaves 2,000 people feared dead . 2023-09-11 . AP News . en . 11 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230911162145/https://apnews.com/article/derna-disaster-zone-libya-storm-daniel-floods-8fac4fe35b962242568ff219456c6870 . live .
  29. Web site: Libyan floods: Derna city alone recovers 1,000 bodies – minister . BBC . 12 September 2023 . 12 September 2023 . 12 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230912124053/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66785466 . live .
  30. Web site: 2023-09-12 . Libyan floods: Derna city looks like a tsunami hit it – minister . 2023-09-12 . BBC News . Lucy . Fleming . en . 12 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230912124053/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66785466 . live .
  31. News: Alkhshali . Hamdi . Salem . Mostafa . El Damanhoury . Kareem . September 12, 2023 . At least 2,000 dead and 10,000 believed missing in Libya as 'catastrophic' flooding breaks dams and sweeps away homes . CNN . live . September 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230912080145/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/11/africa/libya-flooding-storm-daniel-climate-intl/index.html . 12 September 2023.
  32. Web site: Rescuers retrieve over 2,000 bodies in eastern Libya wrecked by devastating floods . AP News . 13 September 2023 . 13 September 2023 . 13 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230913210015/https://apnews.com/article/libya-floods-derna-storm-daniel-39081eb32e4fd426119f4b486c9c2ade . live .
  33. Web site: Murphy . Matt . Libyan official rejects blame for flood disaster . BBC . 15 September 2023 . 16 September 2023 . 15 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915225108/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66822837 . live .
  34. Web site: Karadsheh . Jomana . 'Utter destruction:' Derna left like a war zone by Libya's catastrophic flooding . CNN . 15 September 2023 . 15 September 2023 . 16 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230916042337/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/15/africa/libya-derna-ghost-town-intl-cmd/index.html . live .
  35. News: Magdy . Samy . Mourad . Yousef . 16 September 2023 . Libya investigates dams' collapse after a devastating flood last weekend killed more than 11,000 . Associated Press . 17 September 2023 . 16 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230916095508/https://apnews.com/article/libya-floods-derna-storm-daniel-dams-collapse-40e48e454b6d903f1a194d95d4758d19 . live .
  36. Web site: McAlpin . Nick . 2023-09-17 . Libya floods: UN withdraws 11,300 Derna death toll . 2023-09-17 . The New Arab . en . 2023-09-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230917181538/https://www.newarab.com/news/libya-floods-un-withdraws-11300-derna-death-toll . live .
  37. Web site: 2023-09-14 . Death toll hits 11,300 in Libyan city destroyed by floods . 2023-09-17 . NBC News . en . 2023-09-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230914093705/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/libya-floods-death-toll-derna-rcna105001 . live .
  38. News: Murphy . Matt . September 13, 2023 . Derna: Soundtrack of children's cries now engulfs Libyan city . BBC . live . September 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230913104415/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66796076 . 13 September 2023.
  39. News: Mogul . Rhea . Haq . Sana Noor . September 13, 2023 . Morgues overwhelmed in Libya as rescuers search for thousands missing after flood . CNN . live . September 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230913144939/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/13/africa/libya-flooding-storm-daniel-wednesday-intl-hnk/index.html . 13 September 2023.
  40. News: September 14, 2023 . Global Aid Effort Intensifies For Flood-stricken Libya . Barron's . live . September 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230914105531/https://www.barrons.com/news/global-aid-effort-intensifies-for-flood-stricken-libya-3b94470f . 14 September 2023.
  41. News: September 14, 2023 . Libya flood: Satellite images and aerial photographs show destruction . BBC . live . September 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230914135740/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66807956 . 14 September 2023.
  42. Web site: Libya: Mission chief updates Security Council on flood disaster 'beyond imagination' . UN News . 16 October 2023 . United Nations . 19 October 2023.
  43. News: Libya flood: Derna mayor's house burnt down in protests . 19 September 2023 . BBC News . 19 September 2023 . 19 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230919122115/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-66849131 . live .
  44. Web site: Libya says Derna mayor, other officials detained after flood . Reuters . 25 September 2023 .
  45. News: Derna floods: Libyan officials jailed over disaster . 28 July 2024 . www.bbc.com . 28 July 2024.
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  47. Web site: 12 September 2023 . Libyan city buries 700 people killed in devastating floods as 10,000 are reported missing . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230912202455/https://apnews.com/article/derna-libya-floods-storm-daniel-95379b164871d97fb74b1cd1bcb5640c . 12 September 2023 . 12 September 2023 . Associated Press.
  48. Web site: 11 September 2023 . Hundreds feared dead, thousands missing after devastating floods hit Libya . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230911171800/https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20230911-storm-and-floods-leave-scores-dead-in-libya-govt-declares-3-days-of-mourning . 11 September 2023 . 12 September 2023 . France 24.
  49. Web site: 13 September 2023 . Libya floods: Entire neighbourhoods dragged into the sea . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230912124053/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66785466 . 12 September 2023 . 13 September 2023 . BBC.
  50. Web site: 14 September 2023 . Libya floods: Level of destruction "never seen before", death toll reaches 11,300 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230916042836/https://www.africanews.com/2023/09/15/libya-floods-level-of-destruction-never-seen-before-death-toll-reaches-11300/ . 16 September 2023 . 15 September 2023 . Africanews.
  51. Web site: 13 September 2023 . We will only accept 'necessary aid' – Libya's PM . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230913122626/https://www.africanews.com/2023/09/13/we-will-only-accept-necessary-aid-libyas-pm/ . 13 September 2023 . 13 September 2023 . Africanews.
  52. Web site: 14 September 2023 . Libya floods: PM takes shared responsibility for dam failures . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915033007/https://www.africanews.com/2023/09/14/libya-floods-pm-takes-shared-responsibility-for-dam-failures/ . 15 September 2023 . 13 September 2023 . Africanews.
  53. Web site: 17 September 2023 . For a divided Libya, disastrous floods have become a rallying cry for unity . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230917202931/https://apnews.com/article/libya-divided-derna-floods-unity-6de10ab7bd3b3181b3477ed3fc6a4cd9 . 17 September 2023 . 17 September 2023 . Associated Press.
  54. Web site: 14 September 2023 . Whole families drowned in Libya's flood. Many didn't realize the danger until they heard dams burst . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915002645/https://apnews.com/article/libya-floods-derna-storm-daniel-11c33a12418149f761fe79a47ea7289c . 15 September 2023 . 14 September 2023 . Associated Press.
  55. Web site: 14 September 2023 . Libyan rivals 'co-ordinating over flood relief' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230914042818/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66805254 . 14 September 2023 . 14 September 2023 . BBC.
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  60. Web site: 2023-09-14 . GECOL restores electricity to western Derna . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230916043433/https://libyaobserver.ly/index.php/news/gecol-restores-electricity-western-derna . 16 September 2023 . 2023-09-16 . Libya Observer . en.
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  62. Web site: Mohamed . Gobran . 2023-09-12 . Egypt declares three days of mourning in solidarity with Morocco and Libya . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230913030314/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2372256/middle-east . 13 September 2023 . 2023-09-12 . Arab News . en.
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  65. Web site: 13 September 2023 . Algeria decides to urgently dispatch important humanitarian aid to Libya . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230914110547/https://www.aps.dz/en/algeria/48716-algeria-decides-urgent-dispatch-of-important-humanitarian-aid-to-libya . 14 September 2023 . 13 September 2023 . Algeria Press Service.
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