19 killed in building collapse in Morocco's third-largest city

FEZ, Morocco (AP) — Two four-story buildings collapsed overnight successful the Moroccan metropolis of Fez, sidesplitting 19 radical successful the 2nd fatal illness determination this year, authorities said connected Wednesday.

Morocco's authorities quality bureau reported the 2 residential buildings housed 8 families. Sixteen radical were injured successful the illness and sent for attraction astatine a adjacent hospital. Authorities said the vicinity had been evacuated and hunt and rescue efforts were ongoing.

It was unclear what caused the illness oregon however galore radical were unaccounted for connected Wednesday morning.

Fez is Morocco’s third-largest metropolis and 1 of the hosts of this month’s Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup. It is champion known for its walled metropolis packed with medieval souks and tanneries. But beyond tourism, it’s besides 1 of the country’s poorest municipality centers, wherever aging infrastructure is communal successful galore neighborhoods.

Another illness successful May killed 10 radical and injured 7 successful a gathering that had already been slated for evacuation, according to Moroccan outlet Le360.

Building codes are often not enforced successful Morocco, particularly successful past cities wherever aging multifamily homes are common. Gaps successful basal services were a focal constituent of protests that swept the state earlier this year, with demonstrators criticizing the authorities for investing successful caller stadiums alternatively of addressing inequality successful wellness care, acquisition and different nationalist services.

__ A erstwhile mentation of this communicative called Fez Morocco’s second-largest city. It is Morocco’s 3rd astir populous city.

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