Tragic Building Collapse in Fes, Morocco
A devastating incident occurred on Thursday in Fes, Morocco, where the collapse of a residential building resulted in the tragic loss of 15 lives, including two young children. As of Friday, five additional individuals remain hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the incident, according to sources from the public prosecutor's office.
Initially, the reported death toll was nine, but as rescue operations continued, authorities discovered five missing persons who were later found deceased. This tragic event marks the second similar incident in recent months in Fes, a city recognized as one of Morocco's largest urban centers. Late last year, a similar disaster claimed the lives of 22 individuals when two adjacent buildings collapsed, making it one of the worst building failures in the country in recent years.
Following the collapse, local authorities took immediate action by evacuating residents from surrounding buildings to prevent further casualties from potential additional collapses. Rescue teams are still actively engaged in searching for any individuals who may be trapped under the rubble.
In the evening of the incident, the Attorney General of the Fes Court of Appeal announced the initiation of a thorough judicial investigation aimed at uncovering all circumstances surrounding the disaster and identifying those responsible. Reports from local media in April indicated that the construction of additional floors had been carried out without the necessary legal permits, leading to investigations involving 21 individuals.
The Moroccan National Human Rights Council has raised concerns about the repeated incidents of building collapses, emphasizing that such occurrences directly infringe upon the right to adequate housing. They stressed the importance of adhering to construction standards and regulations while calling for transparency from the relevant authorities to prevent future disasters that could jeopardize lives.
As reported by alkhaleej.ae.
