A devastating structural collapse in the northern city of Fez, in Morocco, has claimed the lives of 22 people, with sixteen others injured, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The disaster occurred late Tuesday night in the Al-Massira district, leaving emergency teams racing against time to search for potential survivors trapped beneath the rubble.
Authorities said that one of the collapsed buildings was hosting a family gathering when it gave way, while the neighboring structure was reportedly empty.
The city’s prosecutor’s office has opened a formal investigation to determine the precise cause of the collapses.
First responders worked through the early hours, removing debris piece by piece to recover victims.
Images from the scene showed rescue workers carrying bodies in grey body bags, while mechanical excavators, jackhammers, and manual tools were deployed to reach those potentially buried under the debris.
Injured survivors were immediately taken to Fes’s University Hospital Centre for treatment.
Local residents voiced concerns about construction practices in the area.
Mohamed, a resident, told local media that many buildings in Al-Massira were constructed following a 2007 resettlement program, but subsequent structures often ignored building regulations.
“After 2007, everyone built as they wished,” he said, noting that oversight has been minimal.
TelQuel magazine echoed these concerns, reporting that many homes were built without adherence to approved development plans.
Authorities have warned that the death toll could rise as search efforts continue. Safety officials took preventive measures, including securing the surrounding area and evacuating neighboring buildings to prevent further casualties.
The Fes tragedy is the most severe building collapse in Morocco in a decade. In 2014, three buildings in Casablanca collapsed, killing 23 people.
Between 2016 and 2024, Morocco witnessed several other fatal collapses, including incidents in Marrakech and Fes, highlighting a pattern of unsafe construction and inadequate regulatory enforcement.
In one case last May, a residential building in Fes fell despite being flagged as at risk, claiming nine lives.
The repeated occurrence of deadly building collapses has prompted local authorities and residents to call for stricter enforcement of construction standards.
Experts have stressed the need for regular inspections, compliance with safety codes, and accountability for developers who ignore regulations.
As Fes mourns the loss of its citizens, the focus remains on rescuing any survivors and preventing such tragedies in the future.
