The competent authorities began implementing the demolition decision for Al-Buhaira market in the center of Casablanca this morning, Saturday, in circumstances that sparked a wave of resentment and concern, due to the absence of minimal safety conditions and the lack of an actual presence of local authorities with the start of the demolition process.
According to information from the scene, bulldozers began demolition work while a large number of underage children were present inside the market environment, attempting to collect iron pieces and items for sale, in a dangerous scene that reflects the fragility of the field management of the operation, and exposes the lives of minors and curious individuals to a real danger. Despite the fact that the technical studies explicitly referred to in the demolition decision emphasized the need to take strict precautionary measures, including erecting security barriers and preventing curious individuals, especially underage children, from approaching demolition machinery and bulldozers, the field reality revealed the opposite, where the presence of children was recorded in the market space during the commencement of the work, in the absence of the necessary encirclement and monitoring. During this operation, a child fell from the roof of one of the shops that was in the process of demolition, which necessitated his rapid transfer to the hospital in a critical condition, without any official statement being issued clarifying the circumstances of the accident or the responsibilities arising from it. Identical testimonies stated that the demolition operation began unexpectedly, without a comprehensive evacuation of the place or providing sufficient security guards to prevent unauthorized access, which turned the demolition site into a black spot that threatens the physical safety of citizens, especially the vulnerable groups of children. This incident brings back to the forefront the discussion about how to implement demolition decisions, and the extent to which they respect the accompanying technical reports and studies, as well as the commitment of the concerned authorities to apply safety standards and protect lives before commencing any field intervention of this size. Pending official clarifications from the competent authorities, human rights activists and associations are demanding the opening of an urgent investigation to determine responsibilities, link the decision to the implementation, and ensure that such incidents do not recur, which may turn into human tragedies due to negligence and poor coordination.
