A residential building collapse in Fez has raised new concerns about urban safety in one of Morocco’s largest and oldest cities. The structure, which housed eight families, crumbled suddenly, forcing authorities to evacuate the neighborhood as rescue teams dug through the debris. Local officials said they still do not know how many residents may be missing and that the cause of the collapse remains under investigation. Fez — Morocco’s third-largest city is renowned for its historic medina and is currently preparing to host major sporting events, but many of its districts face long-standing problems with ageing and poorly maintained infrastructure.
This is not an isolated incident. In May, another building collapse in the city killed 10 people. Experts say safety regulations, especially in older neighbourhoods, are inconsistently enforced, leaving residents in overcrowded and deteriorating homes particularly vulnerable.
