Two buildings with four stories each collapsed in Fez, Morocco, 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 Morocco’s state news agency, the collapsed buildings were home to eight families, with sixteen people sustaining injuries and receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital. Rescue operations are currently underway after the neighborhood was evacuated.
The cause of the collapse remains unknown, and the exact number of individuals missing is yet to be determined as of Wednesday morning. The injured have been moved to the University Hospital Centre following the incident in the Al Massira suburb of the city.
Fez, the third-largest city in Morocco, is set to host the Africa Cup of Nations this month and the 2030 FIFA World Cup. While renowned for its historic walled city and bustling markets, it also faces challenges as one of the country’s economically disadvantaged urban areas, characterized by aging infrastructure in many parts.
Heart-wrenching footage captured emergency responders carrying a body on a stretcher and conducting search operations amidst the debris in the aftermath of the collapse. Notably, another collapse in May claimed the lives of 10 individuals and injured seven in a building previously marked for evacuation. Building regulations are often lax in Morocco, particularly in ancient cities where aged multi-family residences are prevalent.
Issues such as inadequate services have been a point of contention, with protests earlier this year highlighting the government’s priorities and the need to address disparities in healthcare, education, and other public amenities instead of focusing solely on infrastructure projects like new sports facilities.