19 killed, multiple injured after two buildings collapse in Morocco’s old city of Fez

At least 19 people were killed and 16 injured early after two buildings collapsed in Fez. Scroll down to know more.

Rabat: In a shocking global development, at least 19 people were killed and 16 injured after two buildings collapsed in Fez, one of Morocco’s oldest cities. As per a report carried by the state news media, the building blocks had shown signs of neglect for some time and collapsed on Wednesday, leading to the deaths. As per a report carried by news agency Reuters, local authorities in the Fez prefecture reported two adjacent four-storey buildings had collapsed overnight.

Building collapse kills 19 people in one of Morocco’s oldest cities

The report also said that the rescue teams, including police and civil protection units, worked through the night to save multiple people struck in the debris. Moreover, as videos shared online showed frantic efforts to clear rubble and locate survivors.

Readers should note that building collapses have been a recurring issue in the country in the last few years. For a reference, two deadly collapses within a week killed several people in Marrakesh and injured more than 20 others in 2016.

Rising safety concern in Morocco

The incident has once again highlighted worries about unsafe, ageing buildings in Moroccan cities. In September, residents had taken to the streets to protest against poor living conditions, poverty, and inadequate public services.