A tragic night in Morocco left at least 19 people dead after two residential buildings collapsed in the city of Fez. The incident shocked the nation and raised new concerns about housing safety and infrastructure in one of Morocco’s oldest and most historic cities. The key details show a sudden and deadly fall of two four-story buildings in the Al-Mustaqbal neighborhood, which trapped many residents inside.
According to local officials, the first building collapsed late at night, followed only moments later by the second one beside it. Emergency teams from across Morocco rushed to the scene, including firefighters, police, medical workers, and disaster response units. Rescuers used drills, pickaxes, and heavy equipment to search for survivors. Sixteen injured victims were taken to the University Hospital Centre for treatment.
Residents said the buildings had shown cracks and warning signs for a long time. The Al-Mustaqbal area is densely populated, with many old homes that have not received proper repairs. One building reportedly had a family celebration going on at the time of the collapse, while the second was empty. Authorities evacuated nearby houses to prevent more casualties.
This collapse is the latest in a long list of similar tragedies across Morocco. Fez has experienced multiple deadly building failures over the past decade, including a house collapse last year that killed five people and another collapse earlier this year that killed ten. In 2016, two deadly collapses happened within a week—one in Marrakech and one in Fez. Although the buildings involved in this latest incident were first constructed in 2006 under the “City Without Slums” program, local reports suggest that extra floors were added later, which may have weakened the structures.
The disaster comes at a time when many people in Morocco are protesting poor living conditions, weak infrastructure, and the uneven distribution of public services. Citizens have criticized the government for investing heavily in sports events and major projects while hospitals, housing, and essential services continue to struggle. Recent public anger grew after reports of multiple pregnant women dying in a public hospital, raising fears about failing systems across the country.
Authorities have opened an investigation to determine what caused the two buildings to fall. Search and rescue efforts are still active as teams continue digging through the rubble, hoping to find anyone who might still be trapped.
As Morocco mourns this painful loss, many are calling for stronger housing laws, better building inspections, and serious investment in safer living conditions. The city of Fez, a cultural center in Morocco, is once again facing the hard reality of aging buildings and rapid urban growth.
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