British Widow Takes Legal Action Against Marrakech Hotel After Husband's Fatal Incident
A British widow has initiated legal proceedings against a five-star hotel in Marrakech, following the tragic death of her husband, Anthony Barnes, during a business trip to Morocco. The incident occurred in March 2023 when a fire broke out in the hotel's spa area, resulting in Barnes' untimely demise at the age of 48. Alongside him, a hotel staff member also lost their life in this unfortunate event. The widow, Rachel Barnes, is seeking compensation exceeding £500,000, citing negligence on the part of the hotel management.
In court documents, Rachel has accused the hotel of failing to implement and maintain effective fire alarm systems and smoke detectors, as well as lacking emergency exit lighting, active surveillance cameras, and essential firefighting equipment. She further alleges that the spa was constructed using non-fire-resistant materials, and that local authorities were not notified of the incident in a timely manner. This legal action follows a coroner's inquiry in the UK, which concluded in October 2025 that Barnes' death was accidental due to the thick, noxious smoke that hindered visibility and rescue efforts.
On the other hand, the hotel management has denied any allegations of negligence. They stated that the fire originated in the sauna area, and the staff promptly activated the alarm, attempted to extinguish the flames, and started evacuating guests. They also emphasized that the hotel complies with Moroccan regulations and is equipped with a suitable alarm system, emergency lighting, active surveillance cameras at entrances, and functional firefighting equipment. As of now, no date has been set for the court hearing regarding this case.
As reported by ar.yabiladi.com.
