CASABLANCA, Morocco — Catastrophic flooding has struck the coastal city of Safi, Morocco, resulting in at least 37 fatalities according to an official statement released Monday by the nation’s Interior Ministry. The disaster unfolded as torrential overnight rains triggered severe flash floods that submerged approximately 70 residential and commercial properties while sweeping away 10 vehicles. Emergency services reported 14 individuals hospitalized with injuries.
The severe weather event has prompted local authorities to announce three-day school closures as recovery efforts continue. Beyond Safi, significant flooding and infrastructure damage have been reported across multiple Moroccan regions including the northern city of Tetouan and the mountainous community of Tinghir.
Situated approximately 320 kilometers from the capital Rabat, Safi serves as a vital economic center for Morocco’s fishing and mining sectors, employing thousands in resource extraction and processing operations. The city of 300,000 residents hosts a major phosphate processing facility, though operations have been disrupted by the catastrophic flooding.
Disturbing social media footage depicts vehicles partially submerged and stranded as powerful floodwaters surged through urban thoroughfares. Climate scientists note that Morocco’s weather patterns have grown increasingly unpredictable due to climate change impacts. The region has experienced prolonged drought conditions that have hardened soils and reduced natural absorption capacity, exacerbating flood vulnerability.
This tragedy follows another recent building collapse incident in Fez that claimed 22 lives, raising questions about infrastructure resilience and building code enforcement. While Morocco has invested in disaster risk reduction initiatives, implementation varies significantly at local government levels, particularly regarding drainage systems and construction standards. These infrastructural disparities became a focal point during youth-led protests that emerged across the nation earlier this year.