Deadly Flash Floods Kill 37 in Morocco’s Safi Region
Heavy rains overwhelm homes and roads as authorities continue search, rescue, and relief operations in Morocco’s Safi region
- Flash floods in Morocco’s Safi region have claimed dozens of lives and injured many others
- Homes, roads, and infrastructure were inundated, disrupting movement and emergency access
- Authorities continue search and relief operations amid warnings of more heavy rain and snow
At least 37 people have died after severe flash floods struck Morocco’s coastal Safi region, state television reports.
Torrential rains on Sunday sent cars and debris barreling through the streets of Safi, the region’s main port city, overwhelming roads and homes in the historic city centre.
Local authorities reported that dozens of residents were injured and taken to hospitals, while at least 70 homes were inundated. Key roads into and out of Safi remain blocked by debris and flood damage, complicating emergency access and relief efforts.
Residents described the disaster as catastrophic. One survivor told AFP, “I lost all my clothes. Only my neighbour gave me something to cover myself. I have nothing left. I lost everything.” Another called for faster emergency assistance, urging government deployment of trucks to remove standing water from flooded areas.
Moroccan authorities said search and rescue operations are ongoing, with teams working to locate missing individuals and assess the full scale of the damage.
Experts warn that climate change has intensified extreme and unpredictable weather in Morocco. The country has faced seven consecutive years of drought, drastically reducing water reserves, while last year was officially the hottest on record, exacerbating environmental stress.
Morocco’s weather service has issued warnings of continued heavy rainfall into Tuesday, alongside snow across the Atlas Mountains, raising concerns about further flooding and disruption.
