Two four-story buildings in Fez, Morocco collapsed overnight, resulting in the tragic deaths of 19 individuals, marking the second fatal incident of its kind in the city this year. According to reports from the state news agency of Morocco, the collapsed residential buildings accommodated eight families. Sixteen individuals sustained injuries during the collapse and were promptly transported to a nearby hospital for medical care. Authorities confirmed the evacuation of the neighborhood and ongoing search and rescue operations.
The cause of the collapse remains uncertain, and the exact number of individuals unaccounted for as of Wednesday morning is unknown. The injured have been taken to the University Hospital Centre following the collapse in the Al Massira suburb situated in the southwestern part of the new city.
Fez, the third-largest city in Morocco and a host city of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, is renowned for its historic walled city featuring bustling markets and tanneries. Despite its tourism appeal, Fez struggles with poverty, evident in its aging infrastructure prevalent in various neighborhoods.
Heartbreaking footage shared by news site Akhbarona depicted emergency services carrying away a body on a stretcher, while rescue workers were seen combing through the rubble in the darkness at the collapse site.
A similar incident in May claimed the lives of 10 individuals and injured seven in a building that had been earmarked for evacuation beforehand, as reported by Moroccan outlet Le360. In 2016, two fatal building collapses occurred within a week.
Enforcement of building codes in Morocco is often lax, especially in ancient cities where aging multi-family residences are prevalent. The lack of essential services was a key concern during nationwide protests earlier this year, with demonstrators criticizing the government for prioritizing investments in new sports facilities over addressing disparities in healthcare, education, and other public amenities.