Rabat – Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces announced on Wednesday that specialized mountain-rescue units have located and recovered the bodies of three individuals trapped in the January 18 avalanche on the trail leading to Mount Toubkal.
The Royal Gendarmerie and Civil Protection carried out the search operation under extremely harsh weather and difficult terrain conditions.
The FAR statement did not disclose the identities of the victims. Moroccan news agency MAP reported on Sunday that the three victims are two Moroccan tourists and a tourist guide.
Search operations have been ongoing throughout the period they were reported missing, despite the harsh conditions in the region.
The region draws tourists from across the world, including local hiking enthusiasts.
Toubkal is the highest peak in Morocco with an elevation of 4,167 meters. It is also the highest in the Atlas Mountains, North Africa, and the Arab world.
Known travel websites like the Lonely Planet have long featured the destination as among the popular hiking sites.
“For pure mountain air that cuts through the heat and leaves you giddy, don’t miss the highest mountain in North Africa: snowcapped Jebel Toubkal (4167m), situated in the heart of the Toubkal National Park,” a brief description on the travel-focused website wrote. It also cited the mountain trails criss-crossing Jebel Toubkal that start from Imlil, which is located at the end of the Mizane Valley.
“On the way to Imlil, you could make a pit stop 47km south of Marrakesh at Asni for roadside tajines and the Saturday souq,” Lonely Planet added.
In recent weeks, Morocco has been witnessing heavy rainfall and snow in many regions.
The snow has not stopped tourists from rushing to snowy destinations like Ifrane, among other spots.
