21 killed in flash floods in the Moroccan city of Safi

21 people were killed on Sunday in the city of Safi, overlooking the Atlantic coast of Morocco, as a result of sudden floods that followed heavy rains that caused water to leak into many homes and shops, in the highest number of deaths resulting from such weather conditions in Morocco in a decade..

Local authorities reported in a statement that Safi, located about 300 kilometers south of Rabat, was subjected to severe thunderstorms that caused exceptional torrential flows within one hour..

It had previously reported that 32 people were injured and taken to the city hospital, adding that most of them left after receiving care and treatment..

The fall season in Morocco usually witnesses a gradual drop in temperatures. However, climate change is currently limiting this decline while maintaining a high level of water vapor remaining from the summer. According to experts, this combination increases the risk of flash floods.

Pictures circulated on social media showed a torrent of muddy water sweeping the streets of the city of Safi, sweeping away cars and waste. Other scenes also showed a partially submerged shrine, and civil defense boats responding to rescue calls from residents.

The authorities reported that at least 70 homes and shops in the old city of Safi were flooded, with ten cars swept away and part of the road damaged, leading to traffic jams in several streets of the city..

Efforts are continuing to search for potential victims, and the authorities are seeking to “secure the affected areas” and “provide the necessary support and assistance to the residents affected by this exceptional situation,” according to officials in the city of Safi..

The General Directorate of Meteorology announced on Saturday snowfall at an altitude of 1,700 meters and above, in addition to heavy rain, sometimes accompanied by thunderstorms, in several regions of the Kingdom over the weekend. On Sunday evening, the directorate expected heavy rains accompanied by local thunderstorms on Tuesday across the country.