Two buildings with four stories each collapsed overnight in Fez, Morocco, resulting in the tragic deaths of 19 individuals, marking the second deadly collapse in the city this year. The structures were residential and accommodated eight families. Additionally, 16 people sustained injuries and were promptly taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Authorities have evacuated the neighborhood and are actively engaged in search and rescue operations.
The cause of the collapse remains unknown, and the exact number of missing persons was not confirmed as of Wednesday morning. The injured individuals have been relocated to the University Hospital Centre following the incident in the Al Massira suburb of the city.
Fez, the third-largest city in Morocco, is currently one of the venues for the Africa Cup of Nations and is slated to host the FIFA World Cup in 2030. While renowned for its historic walled city teeming with traditional markets and tanneries, Fez also struggles with poverty, particularly evident in its aging infrastructure across multiple districts.
Heart-wrenching footage captured at the scene, including a video from news outlet Akhbarona, shows emergency responders transporting a body on a stretcher and rescue teams meticulously sifting through the rubble in the dark.
Notably, a previous collapse in May claimed the lives of 10 individuals and injured seven in a building that had been identified for evacuation. Moroccan reports from Le360 indicate that in 2016, there were two fatal building collapses within a week.
Morocco often faces challenges in enforcing building codes, particularly in historic areas where old multi-family residences are prevalent. The lack of adequate services has been a focal point of recent protests in the country, with demonstrators criticizing the government’s priorities, such as investing in new sports facilities instead of addressing essential needs in healthcare, education, and public services.