Marrakech – Carbon monoxide poisoning cases in Azilal province have increased to 23, with no deaths recorded among victims who received necessary medical treatment at local hospitals.
According to converging reports from health officials at the provincial health delegation, four new poisoning cases were registered Tuesday evening, adding to the 19 cases previously reported on Monday. The new cases included three from the Azilal center and one from the Ouzoud area.
Medical sources confirmed that these incidents represent separate and isolated cases occurring over several days, from Friday through Wednesday, rather than a single mass poisoning event. Around 90% of victims arrived at hospitals during late-night hours.
Health officials identified the primary cause as unsafe use of traditional heating methods, particularly charcoal braziers known locally as “majmar,” along with gas water heaters installed in confined or closed spaces within homes.
The incomplete combustion of these materials releases carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless toxic gas that causes victims to lose consciousness without detecting its presence.
The incidents occurred during a severe cold wave affecting the region, prompting residents to seal all windows, doors, and ventilation sources to maintain warmth in their rooms.
This practice prevents air circulation and allows toxic gases from heating devices to accumulate in living spaces, creating life-threatening conditions.
Medical and nursing teams successfully treated all 23 cases without recording any fatalities. All victims received appropriate emergency care and either left the hospital or recovered thanks to swift medical intervention, despite some cases arriving during very late hours requiring constant vigilance from emergency department staff.
The first 19 cases were distributed across several areas, including ten from the Azilal center, two from Ouzoud, and one each from Tamda Noumercid, Ait Majden, and Ait M’hamed.
Meanwhile, the Ouaoula and Anergui health centers received four additional cases. All patients received appropriate medical care under proper health conditions.
Health authorities stressed the importance of precautionary measures when using traditional or gas heating devices, including proper ventilation, regular equipment maintenance, and strictly avoiding the use of charcoal braziers or sleeping in closed bedrooms with heating devices.
Officials said awareness campaigns are ongoing to educate citizens about the dangers of this silent gas, particularly during the winter months, urging immediate contact with the nearest health facility or the Moroccan Poison Control and Pharmacovigilance Center (CAPM) in suspected poisoning cases.
Read also: Moroccan Interior Ministry Raises Alert Level to Face Potential Winter Weather Risks
