Gazzini praises the scale of reconstruction and calls for a transparent scientific review of what happened to the two dams
LIBYA – Italian news agency Nova quoted political analyst Claudia Gazzini as saying the city of Derna had been reborn, while a comprehensive study of the disaster was still needed.
Wide-Ranging Reconstruction Achievements
Speaking about her repeated visits to the city, the most recent about two months ago, Gazzini said the scale of reconstruction achievements had been astonishing, and that she had been surprised by what she saw: many bridges rebuilt, an overpass constructed, the city centre developed and a large hotel renovated.
She added that many buildings had been repainted, and that Derna today appeared a lively city and attractive in urban terms.
Housing Compensation Debate
Gazzini pointed to ongoing debate over the criteria used for housing compensation, who received homes and why others were excluded.
She said her impression, after returning to Derna several times, was that remarkable work had indeed been accomplished in the city over three years.
The Two Dams and the Need for a Scientific Study
She said the two-dam system had been technically outdated, and that experts believed it would likely have collapsed in any case under the enormous volume of water.
She added that the technical side of the disaster had not received the same attention as reconstruction, arguing that a serious scientific study would be useful not only for Derna, since every dam-collapse incident holds lessons for the world.
She noted that much of the infrastructure had been built 50 years ago and was now outdated, especially amid the effects of climate change.
Identifying Victims and Examining What Happened
Gazzini concluded that Derna had been reborn in a way she had not expected, but that physical reconstruction still needed to be accompanied by a full identification of the victims and a transparent scientific examination of what happened to the dams.
