At least 19 people, including several children, have been killed and 16 others injured after two residential buildings collapsed in the historic city of Fes, Morocco, according to state media. Emergency crews continued rescue operations through the night as authorities worked to locate survivors trapped beneath the rubble.

The incident occurred late Wednesday in the Al-Mustaqbal neighborhood, where two four-storey buildings suddenly gave way, crushing homes that were inhabited by eight families. Videos shared on social media showed police, firefighters, and civil protection teams racing to the scene as residents gathered in shock.

Children Among the Victims as Rescue Efforts Intensify

Local media confirmed that children were among those killed in the collapse. Search and rescue teams worked throughout the night using specialized equipment to sift through debris, while ambulances rushed the injured to the University Hospital Centre of Fes for emergency treatment.

Photos released by AFP showed emergency personnel carrying bodies from the rubble and coordinating efforts to pull survivors from the wreckage. Officials have not yet confirmed the cause of the collapse.

Fes Has Experienced Building Failures Before

Wednesday’s tragedy is not an isolated incident for Fes. In February 2024, five people died when a house collapsed in the city’s old quarter. Throughout Morocco, concerns over structural safety have been growing as buildings — especially older ones — show signs of deterioration.

In 2016, two deadly building collapses occurred just one week apart:

• A home in Marrakesh that killed two children
• A four-storey building that killed four people and injured more than 20

According to local reports, more than 12,000 buildings in Marrakesh and its surrounding regions were identified as at risk in 2023. Many experts believe that the major earthquakes that shook Morocco that year may have further weakened aging structures across the country.

Collapse Comes Amid Rising Public Anger Over Living Conditions

The latest disaster comes at a sensitive time for Morocco, where citizens have been staging protests over economic hardship, housing insecurity, and public service shortages. In September, widespread demonstrations broke out over poverty and government spending, particularly in the lead-up to major World Cup investments.

The building collapse in Fes has already reignited concerns about the safety of older residential areas and the urgency of renovation and inspection programs.

Authorities have not yet released a full casualty list, and rescue operations were still under way as of Thursday morning. Officials are expected to open an investigation into the causes of the collapse and whether the buildings had been previously flagged as unsafe.