Morocco Building Collapse Kills 19, Including Children

Two four-storey residential buildings collapsed overnight in the Moroccan city of Fez, leaving 19 people dead, including several children.

Local authorities confirmed on Wednesday, December 10, that this is the second deadly collapse in the city this year. Sixteen survivors were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for urgent treatment.

Officials said the surrounding area has been cleared as search and rescue teams continue looking for anyone who may still be trapped. The exact cause of the collapse remains unknown, and it was not yet clear how many residents were missing as of Wednesday morning.

Fez, Morocco’s third-largest city, is one of the venues for the Africa Cup of Nations this month and is also set to host matches during the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Despite its popularity as a historic tourist destination, the city has many older residential areas where weak building structures are common.

Earlier this year, another building collapse in Fez killed 10 people and injured several others. That structure had already been marked for evacuation due to safety concerns.

Weak enforcement of building regulations is a long-standing issue in Morocco, especially in old urban districts where many families live in aging properties. Complaints over poor infrastructure and gaps in basic services fueled nationwide protests earlier this year, with citizens accusing authorities of prioritizing new stadium construction over improving healthcare, education, and living conditions.