Morocco Building Collapse Kills At Least 22

At least 22 people have lost their lives and 16 others sustained injuries following the collapse of two buildings in Fez, Morocco, early Wednesday morning.

State media reports, citing local officials, indicate the four-storey residential buildings housed eight families at the time of the incident. A frantic search and rescue operation is currently underway, with teams working tirelessly to locate any individuals who may still be trapped beneath the rubble.

Several Moroccan news outlets have reported that the buildings, situated in the Al Massira suburb of Fez, had been exhibiting signs of deterioration for years. Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the collapse.

Footage emerging from the scene shows emergency workers and residents sifting through debris in the darkness. A clip published by Akhbarona depicts a body being carried away on a stretcher by paramedics.

As a precautionary measure, residents of neighbouring buildings have been evacuated, according to state media. Those injured have been transported to hospitals for treatment, with the extent of their injuries varying.

The public prosecutor’s office in Fez revealed that one of the buildings was unoccupied, while the other was hosting a celebration marking the birth of a child when the tragedy struck. The office has initiated a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse, local media reports.

Residents have expressed concerns about the quality of construction in the area. “People shouldn’t keep building and encroaching on the next building over,” Abdelali told Hespress, adding, “one of the buildings fell onto the other.”

Another resident, Idris, described the collapse as incredibly swift. “It was a sudden thing,” he told the news site. “We were shocked, we couldn’t sleep, we ran away from our homes and went outside.”

This incident comes amidst growing public discontent in Morocco, including protests in Fez a few months ago where improved housing and infrastructure were key demands. In January, Housing Minister Adib Ben Ibrahim revealed that approximately 13,700 buildings across the country were at risk of collapse.

Tragically, Fez has experienced similar incidents recently. In May, nine people were killed when a condemned building collapsed in a different part of the city. Earlier this year, in February, five lives were lost when a house crumbled in the old city following heavy rainfall and strong winds.

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