A tragic building collapse in the historic Moroccan city of Fez has claimed numerous lives, marking one of the deadliest such incidents in the country in recent years. Two adjacent four-story residential buildings in the Al-Massira district collapsed overnight, trapping residents inside.
The human toll from the disaster has been significant, though reported figures varied in the immediate aftermath. Early reports from the state news agency MAP indicated at least 19 fatalities and 16 people injured. Other sources, including a government source cited by local media, later reported the death toll had risen to 22. The buildings were home to eight families, and the public prosecutor noted one of the buildings had been hosting a celebration for a newborn when the collapse occurred. Rescue operations continued through the morning as teams worked to clear debris and search for anyone who might still be trapped.
The cause of the collapse is under investigation. However, residents quickly pointed to poor construction practices, with one local telling media that one building had fallen onto the other. The incident has cast a spotlight on long-standing concerns about building safety and aging infrastructure in Moroccan cities. The country's housing minister stated earlier this year that thousands of buildings nationwide were at imminent risk of collapse. Fez, a city renowned for its ancient medina and slated to host matches in the upcoming 2030 FIFA World Cup, is also one of Morocco's poorest urban centers, where enforcement of building codes is often lax.
This is the second fatal building collapse in Fez this year, following an incident in May that killed ten people in a structure that had already been marked for evacuation. The frequency of such tragedies has fueled public frustration. Earlier this year, youth-led protests in several Moroccan cities, including Fez, demanded better public services and infrastructure, criticizing government priorities. Authorities have evacuated residents from nearby buildings as a precaution while the investigation proceeds.