Flash floods in Morocco kill at least 37

Flash floods in Morocco kill at least 37.

Flash floods in Morocco have killed at least 37 people in Morocco's Atlantic coastal province of Safi, caused by heavy rain. At least 14 people were hospitalized, two of whom were in intensive care units (ICUs), state broadcaster SNRT News reported on Monday (December 15), citing local authorities, after the sudden heavy rains on Sunday (December 14).

Images circulating on social media showed houses and vehicles swept away by strong currents in the town of Safi, about 300 kilometers (186 miles) south of the capital Rabat. Authorities said at least 70 homes and businesses in the historic town were flooded in just one hour of heavy rain.

In a statement, the Safi governorate said search and rescue operations were underway and that necessary measures were being taken to secure the affected areas and provide assistance to residents. The damage to the road blocked several routes to and from the Atlantic coast port city of Safi.

The Casablanca-based daily Le Matan reported that the provincial road linking Safi to the city of Harara, 20.5 kilometers (12.7 miles) northeast, was the most affected.

The provincial office of the National Education Directorate in Safi suspended classes in all schools on Monday, the newspaper said.

People were busy retrieving their belongings after the water level receded slightly by Sunday evening.

Rescue teams were searching for the victims. Meanwhile, the weather service has forecast more heavy rain across the country on Tuesday (December 16).

Earlier last week, 19 people were killed and 16 injured when two buildings collapsed in the historic Moroccan city of Fez.