At least 19 people have been killed and 16 injured after two adjoining residential buildings collapsed overnight in the Moroccan city of Fez, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The buildings, home to eight families, crumbled between Tuesday and Wednesday, triggering a major rescue operation as emergency crews and residents searched for survivors.
Authorities said the injured were taken to Fez’s University Hospital Center for treatment while teams continue to hunt for people believed to still be trapped beneath the debris.
The surrounding area has been cordoned off and nearby residents evacuated as a precaution. The tragedy has highlighted long-standing concerns about building safety in Morocco.
⚡️ارتفاع حصيلة ضحايا انهيار مبنيين في مدينة فاس المغربية إلى 19 قتيلا و16 مصابا#المغرب pic.twitter.com/W3BtjBRyXy
— مدفعجي (@madfajy) December 10, 2025
Government agencies have previously warned that tens of thousands of structures across the country require monitoring or urgent intervention due to structural weaknesses. Earlier assessments identified nearly 39,000 buildings at risk of collapse, and similar incidents have occurred in recent years, including one in May that killed 10 people.
The disaster comes amid rising public frustration over housing conditions and government priorities, with youth-led groups staging online-coordinated protests calling for improved social services. Fez is preparing to host matches for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and is a candidate city for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, fuelling criticism that major-event spending is overshadowing public safety concerns. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has rejected those claims, insisting investment in international events is not diverting funds from essential services.
