A catastrophic flash flooding event has devastated Morocco’s coastal Safi region, resulting in a confirmed death toll of 37 individuals as reported by state television. The tragedy unfolded on Sunday when torrential rains triggered violent floodwaters that inundated the port city, sweeping away vehicles and massive accumulations of debris through urban thoroughfares.
Local authorities have confirmed dozens of injured residents are currently receiving emergency medical treatment at area hospitals. The historic city center has suffered significant damage with at least 70 residential properties completely submerged under floodwaters. Transportation networks have been severely compromised with multiple access routes to the city rendered impassable due to extensive damage and accumulated wreckage.
Eyewitness accounts describe Sunday’s events as a ‘dark day’ for the community, with residents expressing frustration over delayed governmental response. One local resident communicated to AFP his urgent desire to see official emergency vehicles deployed for water extraction operations.
Moroccan emergency services continue search and rescue operations as the nation grapples with the aftermath. Meteorological experts are linking these extreme weather phenomena to broader climate crisis patterns, noting that North Africa has experienced seven consecutive years of drought that have critically depleted water reservoirs. This context makes the sudden torrential rainfall particularly alarming to climate scientists.
The national weather service has issued continued advisories warning that heavy precipitation is expected to persist through Tuesday, with simultaneous snowfall anticipated across the Atlas Mountain range. This compounding weather emergency occurs against the backdrop of 2024 being officially recorded as the hottest year in modern history, adding to concerns about increasing climate volatility in the region.