Rabat – The death toll from the collapse of two residential buildings in Fez has reportedly risen to 22.
Latest updates from Medi1 TV said search operations are ongoing to rescue people who could still be under the rubble.
The incident took place on Tuesday at 11:30 p.m., according to witnesses.
At least 16 people were injured. Injuries are of varying degrees of severity.
Witnesses said they felt unusual vibrations and heard a strange noise before the collapse.
A man told reporters that his wife asked him to check if there was a rat in the ceiling after she heard an unidentified sound.
When he rushed to look, he realized the noise was coming from the neighboring building. He said he asked his family to go downstairs, and moments later, the two connected buildings collapsed.
Residents said they managed to rescue an elderly person and a young boy who survived the incident.
A woman who lost her house said she has nowhere to go with her family.
Many Moroccans across the country expressed concerns, especially as similar incidents occurred in the past affecting at-risk buildings.
Local reports, however, suggest the collapsed structures were relatively new and less than 20 years old, raising further questions about construction quality and oversight.
