Morocco’s Safi Grieves as deadliest flood in a decade claims 37 lives. City, Morocco — Safi, Morocco, is reeling from the aftermath of the deadliest flood in at least a decade, with at least 37 people confirmed dead and many more injured following the sudden deluge on Sunday.
The General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) has warned of further thunderstorms in the region, including Safi, over the next three days.
The coastal town, located approximately 300km south of Rabat, was overwhelmed by a muddy torrent that swept cars and bins from the streets.
The historic Bab Chabaa district, which is crossed by a river, was particularly hard — hit. Local officials report that survivors are receiving treatment at the town’s Mohammed V Hospital, with two individuals still in intensive care.
Schools have been closed due to the extensive damage and ongoing cleanup efforts.
Safi, renowned for its arts and crafts, especially terracotta pottery, now sees its streets strewn with shattered bowls and tajines.
The Moroccan prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation to assess whether anyone could be held responsible for the scale of the destruction, according to the official news agency MAP.
Addressing parliament, Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch attributed the tragedy to an unprecedented amount of rainfall. “Thirty-seven millimetres (1.
5 inches) of rain fell in a short period, hitting the Bab Chabaa district and causing the deaths of numerous merchants and workers, “he.
As the waters began to recede, a landscape of mud and overturned cars emerged. Civil Protection units and residents are working tirelessly to clear the debris. Morocco is in its seventh consecutive year of severe drought, and last year was the North African kingdom’s hottest on record.
Experts attribute the intensity of storms to climate change, which is causing more extreme weather events.
The situation in Safi remains critical, with the town’s community addressing loss and damage. Further details are expected as the investigation unfolds and the cleanup continues.
