HIBAPRESS – A. Muhyawi
The number of victims of the tragedy witnessed in the Al-Massira district of Bensouda, in Fez, rose to 19 deaths as a preliminary count as of eight in the morning, following the collapse of two buildings, which brought back to the forefront the danger of illegal construction that threatens the lives of residents of a number of marginalized neighborhoods.
The site of the accident witnessed the presence of the Governor of the Fez-Meknes region, Khalid Ait Taleb, and the Governor of Security of Fez, along with a number of territorial officials who stood in the field on direct rescue operations, and reviewed the course of the ongoing interventions to remove the rubble and follow up on the health condition of the victims. The local authorities and elements of the Civil Protection arrived at the scene of the collapse from the first hours, where various rescue teams were mobilized to search for survivors among the rubble. An investigation was opened to determine the causes of the accident and identify responsibilities, especially in light of the growing phenomenon of haphazard construction in the region. The population is living in a state of great shock, amid demands for stricter control and firm confrontation of unlicensed construction, in protection of the lives of citizens and to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies. We ask Allah for mercy for the victims and a speedy recovery for the injured.
