The most significant development in Derna yesterday was the gathering of locals at the Al-Sahaba mosque in the centre of the city to voice their anger at the politicians and administrators for their part in the thousands of deaths and missing because of Storm Daniel.
Journalists must leave by noon today
As feared, the eastern authorities have reacted to this political and administrative blame attributed to them. Late last night/early this morning journalists were informed that they must leave eastern Libya by noon today. Initially, ‘’health reasons’’ were cited for this. However, none of the health authorities have put out a health advisory. Then the large number of journalists was cited as hindering the work of the rescue teams”. No mass evacuation of journalist has actually happened and most are playing a wait and see approach.
Communications in Derna cut – accident or sabotage?
The order for journalists to evacuate was in parallel to the loss of telecommunications. The Tripoli-based state telecoms holding company (LIPTC) has reported that a fibre optic cable has been hit. Speculation has followed as to whether it was premeditated sabotage by the eastern authorities or an accident. Late today, reports say there is communication to and from the city, but that it is weak.
Derna mayor and municipality council dismissed
The head of the Libyan government appointed by the House of Representatives, Osama Hammad, has today announced the dismissal of the entire municipal council of the city of Derna and referring it for investigation.
Derna mayor and his council are accused of incompetence / negligence over issuing a clear order to evacuate the city before it was hit by Storm Daniel, for probable failure to open the valves at the city’s two dams, and for failing to ensure the dams received their needed maintenance. The failure of the city’s two dams is, at this very early stage, believed to have contributed to the huge loss of lives estimated at over 10,000 people.
Audit Bureau refers Derna report to Attorney General / Public Prosecutor
Libya’s Tripoli-based Audit Bureau announced that it has referred its report on the Derna dams to the Attorney General / Public Prosecutor. The report includes more than 200 documents. It made three recommendations.
Firstly, to hold accountable officials who are negligent in implementing the dam maintenance projects. This, despite the availability of the appropriate environment and the necessary funds during the periods from the date of the contract until the occurrence of the disaster.
Second, to prosecute companies for not implementing the terms of contracts and dam maintenance.
Finally, to assign an international office to investigate any possible negligence of maintenance and the collapse of the dam. Specifically, to ascertain the extent of a direct relationship between the faltering of dam maintenance projects and their collapse in light of the size of the hurricane.
The Libyan state news agency reported that the report confirmed that the contracting party obtained the necessary contractual approvals to implement these projects on the contract dates of 2007 and 2009. It also reported that the funds necessary for implementation had been made available to the implementing companies, and that there are no supervisory restrictions by the Audit Bureau that hinder implementation operations until the date of the collapse of the dams and the occurrence of the disaster.
Latest UN satellite imagery shows extent of Storm Daniel destruction in Derna (libyaherald.com)
More than 5,300 dead and 10,000 missing in Derna disaster (libyaherald.com)
More than 2,000 dead and thousands missing after Storm Daniel hit eastern Libya (libyaherald.com)
Libya hit by storm Daniel with eastern region suffering worse damage (libyaherald.com)
