Search and rescue operations are ongoing in the Moroccan town of Safi following devastating flash floods that claimed at least 37 lives. The flooding, which occurred on Sunday, is the deadliest such incident in Morocco in over a decade, with a muddy torrent sweeping away vehicles and debris in the coastal town located approximately 300 kilometers south of Rabat. The General Directorate of Meteorology has issued warnings for potential thunderstorms in the region over the next three days. Survivors are receiving medical treatment at Mohammed V Hospital, with two individuals in intensive care. In the wake of the floods, schools have been closed and cleanup efforts have begun, revealing a landscape littered with wrecked vehicles and damaged pottery—an emblem of Safi’s rich arts and crafts heritage. The Moroccan prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation to assess potential responsibility for the extensive damage. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch noted that 37 millimeters (1.5 inches) of rain fell in a brief period, severely impacting the historic Bab Chabaa district, an area prone to flooding due to its proximity to a river. This disaster occurs amidst Morocco’s prolonged drought, now entering its seventh consecutive year, compounded by climate change factors that have intensified weather patterns.
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