At least 22 people were killed and 16 others injured after two buildings collapsed in the Moroccan city of Fez.
The two four-story residential buildings destroyed early Wednesday morning housed eight families, state media reported citing local officials.
Several Moroccan media outlets report that the buildings – located in the southwestern suburb of Al Massira in the new part of the city – had been showing signs of deterioration for several years.
Fez, in northeastern Morocco, is one of the oldest cities in the North African country, with parts dating back to the 8th century, and the third most populous.
A search and rescue operation is underway to find anyone who may still be trapped under the rubble. Images from the scene show people and diggers searching through debris under the cover of darkness.
In a clip, published by the Akhbarona news site, a body can be seen being carried on a stretcher by emergency services.
Residents of neighboring buildings were evacuated as a precaution, state media report.
The people taken to hospital suffered various injuries.
Nine people were killed when a condemned building collapsed in another district of Fez in May.
Previously, five people were killed when a house in the Old City collapsed in February 2024, following heavy rains and strong winds.
