22 killed in the collapse of two buildings in Fez, Morocco

Twenty-two people died on Tuesday night in the collapse of two adjacent buildings in the city of Fez in northern Morocco, one of which was hosting a party for a new baby, according to the authorities, in the worst accident of its kind the Kingdom has witnessed in recent years.

Local authorities in Fez said that the two buildings, each consisting of four floors, were inhabited by eight families.

No official explanation was provided for the disaster, while the Public Prosecution in Fez announced the opening of an investigation.

But local residents pointed to the “chaotic construction” of fourth and fifth floors in a neighborhood where only two-storey buildings are allowed.

The Public Prosecution said that the accident occurred shortly after eleven o’clock in the evening local time.

She added that 22 people were killed and 16 others were injured.

She explained in a statement, “The first building was empty of residents, while the second building was hosting an Aqeeqah ceremony” on the occasion of the birth of a new child to the family.

By the afternoon, the search for survivors or victims had ended, regional civil protection commander Abdelaziz Makhmakh told AFP from the site.

Bilal Al-Bashir (17 years old), a resident of the neighborhood, told AFP, “I heard a loud noise around midnight, then screams. It was shocking. Everyone went outside and I saw something that looked like a cloud of dust, and then I realized that both buildings had collapsed.”

“I don’t know why this happened… but I’m sure the upper floors were illegal. These are not the only buildings here that have illegally built floors. I’m afraid this kind of incident will happen again,” he added.

In turn, Bilal Bin Daoud (20 years old), who is also a resident of the neighborhood, said, “There are semi-chaotic buildings in this area, escaping all supervision, even though it is supposed to be a modern neighborhood where plots of land have been provided to rehouse families who were living in slums.”

“It is very clear that safety conditions are not being respected,” he added.

For their part, local authorities indicated that according to initial indications, the two buildings were built in 2006.