On Thursday, Moroccan authorities confirmed that eleven people died and six others were injured when a five-story building collapsed during the night in Fez, about 200 kilometers east of Rabat. Rescue teams rushed to the site, evacuating survivors and searching for those feared trapped under the rubble.

Local officials ordered residents of nearby buildings to evacuate as a precaution against further collapses. Media reports described scenes of panic among neighbors as the sudden collapse caused widespread fear. The injured were transferred to hospitals in Fez, where three remain in critical condition, according to medical sources.

The cause of the collapse remains unknown, and authorities have not yet issued an official explanation. The public prosecutor has opened an investigation to determine the circumstances and responsibilities behind the tragedy.

This incident adds to a troubling record of building collapses in Fez. In late 2025, nine people died in a similar accident, while 22 fatalities were reported last year after two adjacent buildings collapsed. Previous investigations revealed unauthorized construction of additional floors without permits, raising concerns about corruption and weak enforcement of safety standards.

In February 2022, Morocco’s Ministry of Urban Planning and Housing announced a national strategy to address risks posed by unsafe buildings by 2030. The latest collapse underscores the urgency of implementing stronger preventive measures to protect residents in vulnerable neighborhoods.