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Rabat – Fifteen people were killed and 40 others were injured in a stampede, which occurred on Sunday during the distribution of food by a local association in the commune of Sidi Boulalam in Essaouira province.
Other Moroccan media outlets reported that the dead toll jumped to 17 people while more than 40 were injured during the stampede. According to Moroccan news outlet Le360, out of the 17 victims, 15 are women.
The incident occurred when a local philanthropist was handing over food stamps to needy families in the commune of Sidi Boulalam.
Authorities have intervened after the incident and ambulances rushed to the scene to evacuate the injured people into Essaouira’s regional hospital in order to receive the necessary treatment.
An investigation was opened in order to the determine the circumstances of the incident.
According to a statement issued by Morocco’s Ministry of Interior, King Mohammed VI has given his instructions to the Moroccan authorities to take measures to provide necessary aid to the families of the victims and the injured.
The monarch will also pay for the expenses of the burial and funeral of the victims, as well as for the costs of the wounded hospitalization, according to the same source.
