At least 19 killed in collapse of two buildings in Morocco's old city of Fez

At least 19 people were killed and 16 injured early on Wednesday after two buildings collapsed in Fez, one of Morocco's oldest cities, the state news media reported, saying the blocks had shown signs of neglect for some time.

Local authorities in the Fez prefecture reported two adjacent four-storey buildings had collapsed overnight, the state news agency said.

The buildings were inhabited by eight families and were in the Al-Mustaqbal neighborhood, it reported.

As soon as they were informed of the incident, local authorities, security services and civil protection units moved to the scene and immediately began search and rescue operations, it said.

Fez, a former capital dating back to the eighth century and the country's third-most populous city, was caught up in a wave of protests two months ago against the government over deteriorating living conditions and poor public services.

BUILDINGS HAD SHOWN 'SIGNS OF CRACKING'

The state news website SNRT said "the scene indicates that the two collapsed buildings had been showing signs of cracking for some time, without any effective preventive measures being taken".

Reuters was unable to independently verify the news agency's damage report and the Interior Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Most of Morocco's population, financial, industrial hubs and vital infrastructure are concentrated in the northwest, with the rest of the country reliant on farming, fisheries and tourism.

In October, youth-led unrest revealed deep-seated anger over poverty and public services as the government pushes on with ambitious infrastructure projects and the opening of modern stadiums ahead of the 2030 World Cup.

The protests in major cities – inspired by similar revolts in Nepal, Madagascar and Peru – devolved into riots in rural towns and remote cities. Three people were shot dead as they tried to storm a security headquarters, and over 400 were arrested, before the violence eased.