Protest against authorities after flood disaster in Derna

A protest was held in Derna, where last week’s flood caused devastation. Hundreds demanded accountability from the authorities.

News Center- On September 10, parts of eastern Libya were hit by devastating flooding caused by Storm Daniel. The flood turned into a disaster in many cities such as Benghazi, Bayda, Marj and Derna. The death toll of the flood is more than 11,000 while thousands of people are still missing.

Protest in Derna

The flood caused devastation in the city of Derna with a population of 90,000. A protest was held in the city after the flood disaster. Hundreds gathering in front of the Al Sahaba Mosque protested officials, including the head of the eastern-based Libyan parliament, Aguila Saleh.

The protesters accused the governments of failing to manage the crisis and demanded an international investigation be launched into the disaster.

Call for national unity

Chanting slogans such as “Aguila we don’t want you” and “All Libyans are brothers”, called for national unity in the country left politically fractured by more than a decade of conflict and chaos.

Protesters set fire to the house of the mayor

Then, the protesters set fire to the house of Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi, who was mayor of Derna at the time of the flood.

Previously, Hichem Abu Chkiouat, a minister in the eastern Libyan government, announced that Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi was suspended from his post.