At least 22 people lost their lives and 16 others sustained injuries when two adjacent buildings collapsed in Fez, one of Morocco’s oldest cities, during the night. The tragic incident occurred on October 25, 2023, as confirmed by the local prosecutor. One of the collapsed buildings was unoccupied, while the second was hosting an Aqiqah, a traditional Muslim celebration marking the birth of a child.
The prosecutor has initiated an investigation into the causes of the collapse, and stated that the death toll is still preliminary. Local authorities reported that eight families resided in the building where the celebration was taking place. Both structures were four stories tall and had recently displayed signs of structural weakness.
Survivors and Eyewitness Accounts
One survivor, who tragically lost his wife and three children, shared his experience with Medi1 TV, indicating that rescuers had managed to retrieve one body, but he awaited news about the others. Eyewitnesses recounted that they had observed cracks in the buildings prior to the collapse. An elderly woman wrapped in a blanket told SNRT News, “My son who lives upstairs told me the building is coming down. When we went out, we saw the building collapsing.”
Rescue workers and community members were seen digging through the rubble in efforts to locate any remaining survivors. The incident, which took place in the densely populated Al-Mustaqbal neighborhood, has raised urgent concerns about building safety and oversight in the region.
Context of Living Conditions in Fez
Fez has a long history, dating back to the eighth century, and is the third-most populous city in Morocco. It recently witnessed anti-government protests driven by dissatisfaction over deteriorating living conditions and inadequate public services. In January, Adib Ben Ibrahim, the housing secretary of state, indicated that approximately 38,800 buildings across Morocco had been classified as at risk of collapse, highlighting the broader issue of urban decay in many areas.
The collapse in Fez is one of the deadliest building failures in Morocco since a minaret collapsed in the historic city of Meknes in 2010, resulting in the deaths of 41 people. As Morocco prepares to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup and this month’s African Cup of Nations, the juxtaposition of ambitious infrastructure projects against a backdrop of poverty and inadequate services has sparked significant public concern.
With much of the nation’s population and industrial resources concentrated in the northwest, many regions, including Fez, continue to struggle with economic challenges. The recent tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved building regulations and public safety measures to prevent future incidents.
