Collapse Of Two Buildings In Morocco’s Fes Kills 22

Collapse Of Two Buildings In Morocco’s Fes Kills 22

The city of Fes was struck by a devastating tragedy when two adjacent buildings collapsed overnight in the Al-Moustakbal neighbourhood of the Al-Massira area.

Authorities confirmed that 22 people lost their lives, making it the deadliest building‑related disaster Morocco has experienced in recent years. Sixteen additional victims were injured, and emergency teams continued searching for others who might still be trapped beneath the rubble.

One of the buildings had been hosting a family celebration at the time of the collapse, while the neighbouring structure was unoccupied. The prosecutor’s office in Fes announced that an investigation had begun to determine the true causes of the incident.

Early accounts from residents suggested that construction standards may not have been properly followed when the homes were originally built. Locals recalled that after plots were distributed in 2007 as part of a resettlement programme, many occupants constructed their homes without oversight or adherence to development plans.

Scenes from the early hours after the collapse showed first responders working urgently, carrying bodies in grey bags and using jackhammers, pickaxes, and mechanical excavators to clear debris.

Residents gathered nearby, watching anxiously as rescue efforts continued. Local authorities warned that the death toll could rise, and safety officials secured the surrounding area while evacuating neighbouring buildings to prevent further harm. The injured were taken to the University Hospital Centre in Fes for treatment.

This disaster adds to a troubling pattern of structural failures in Morocco. In 2014, three buildings collapsed in Casablanca, killing 23 people. Two deadly collapses occurred in Marrakech in 2016, and Fes itself has suffered multiple incidents in recent years, including a collapse last May that killed nine people in a building already listed as unsafe.

The Fes tragedy has renewed public concern about construction oversight, urban planning, and the enforcement of safety regulations.

As the investigation unfolds, many hope it will lead to stronger preventive measures and more rigorous monitoring to avoid future loss of life.