DERNA — 2023 · Major Tragedy
Collapse of the Derna Dams
On the night of 10-11 September 2023, torrential rain brought by Storm Daniel to eastern Libya caused the collapse of two dams above the city of Derna, the Abu Mansour and Derna dams. Tens of millions of cubic metres of water rushed down Wadi Derna through the heart of the city, sweeping buildings into the sea. Official figures recorded thousands dead and thousands more missing. It emerged the dams had gone without maintenance for decades and warnings had been ignored. In July 2024 a Derna court sentenced 12 officials responsible for dam management to between 9 and 27 years; Libya's Supreme Court later accepted appeals and ordered a retrial.
- Date
- 2023
- Place
- Derna, Libya, Derna, LY
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Under Investigation
- Coordinates
- 32.7650, 22.6390 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 11 September 2023Two dams collapsed during Storm Daniel; floodwater destroyed the city centre.
- 25 September 2023The attorney general ordered eight officials detained.
- 28 July 2024A court sentenced 12 officials to 9-27 years.
- October 2025The Supreme Court overturned the verdicts; a retrial opened at the Benghazi Court of Appeal.
Sources
- France 24 — Libyan court hands jail terms to officials linked to Derna dams collapse france24.com ↗
- Al Jazeera — Libya's top prosecutor orders eight officials arrested aljazeera.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Derna dam collapses en.wikipedia.org ↗
- France 24
- Al Jazeera
- Libya Herald
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.