His Serene Highness Prince Albert II has sent a message of condolence to King Mohammed VI following the collapse of two residential buildings in the Moroccan city of Fez, an incident that has left at least 22 people dead and a further 16 injured…
The tragedy occurred early on Wednesday morning in the Al Massira district, where two four-storey buildings housing eight families suddenly gave way. According to Moroccan media, the structures had shown worrying signs of deterioration for several years. An investigation has since been opened to determine the cause of the collapse.
In his message, the Sovereign Prince said he had learned of the disaster “with profound emotion,” expressing Monaco’s solidarity with the Moroccan people during what he described as “painful hours.” He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and offered wishes for the swift recovery of those injured. HSH Prince Albert II also praised the “remarkable commitment” of rescue teams who have been working through the rubble since the early hours.
The collapse has prompted renewed scrutiny of building safety in Morocco. Fez, one of the country’s oldest and most populous cities, has experienced several structural failures in recent years. In May, nine people were killed when a condemned building collapsed in another part of the city, while five died in February 2024 when a house in the old city crumbled during heavy rain and strong winds. The Moroccan housing minister announced earlier this year that nearly 14,000 buildings nationwide were considered at imminent risk of collapse.
Residents in Al Massira described Wednesday’s tragedy as sudden and devastating, with emergency services continuing their search for survivors into the night.
HSH Prince Albert II concluded his message by assuring King Mohammed VI of Monaco’s “unwavering support in these moments of great hardship.”
Image: Sky News
