At least 37 people have died after sudden flash floods tore through Morocco’s coastal Safi region, leaving wide damage, blocked roads, and families counting heavy losses, according to state-owned television.
The floods followed intense rainfall on Sunday that overwhelmed the main port city of Safi, pushing cars, rubbish, and debris through streets and homes, and forcing dozens of injured residents to seek hospital care.
Scenes of destruction were reported across the city as fast-moving water swept through neighbourhoods, especially in the old city centre, where at least 70 homes were flooded.
Local authorities said hospitals were treating dozens of people for injuries linked to the floods, while damage and debris cut off access on several key roads leading in and out of Safi.
Residents described the day as devastating, saying the floods arrived with little warning and left many with nothing. One resident told the AFP news agency: "I've lost all my clothes. Only my neighbour gave me some to cover myself. I have nothing left. I've lost everything."
Another survivor said he wanted to see government trucks at the scene to pump out the water, as floodwaters remained trapped in parts of the city.
Authorities said search and rescue operations were still ongoing as teams continued to look for people who may have been trapped or swept away by the floods. The full scale of the damage is still being assessed as emergency crews work in affected areas.
Experts say the climate crisis is partly behind the extreme weather shifts being seen in the North African country. Morocco has faced seven straight years of drought, which has drained its reservoirs, even as sudden heavy rainfall events become more common. Last year was officially recorded as the hottest ever.
Morocco’s weather service warned that the heavy rainfall is expected to continue on Tuesday, alongside snowfall across the Atlas mountains, raising further concerns about flooding and disruption in affected regions.
