FEZ, Morocco — At least 22 people have died and 16 others injured after two four-storey residential buildings collapsed early Wednesday in the Al Massira suburb of Fez, Morocco’s third-largest city.
Incident Details
- The buildings housed eight families.
- One was empty, while the other was hosting a celebration for the birth of a child when the collapse occurred.
- Residents reported the structures had shown signs of deterioration for years.
Rescue Operations
Emergency personnel worked through the night, using diggers to sift through rubble. Footage showed bodies being carried away on stretchers. Nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution.
Investigation
The public prosecutor’s office has opened an inquiry into the cause of the collapse. Residents blamed haphazard construction and overcrowding.
Broader Context
- Morocco’s housing minister said in January that 13,700 buildings nationwide were at risk of collapse.
- Fez has seen similar tragedies:
- May 2025: Nine killed in another collapse.
- February 2024: Five killed when a house crumbled after heavy rain.
- The city was recently a focal point of youth-led protests demanding better housing and infrastructure.