UPDATE 2 – Flash floods kill 37 in western Morocco

UPDATES DEATH TOLL, REVISES HEADLINE, DECK

By Khalid Mejdoub, Mohammad Sio, and Betul Yilmaz

RABAT, Morocco / ISTANBUL (AA) – At least 37 people were killed in flash floods that ravaged Morocco’s western city of Safi, authorities said on Monday.

In a statement, the Safi governor’s office said 20 people were also injured and admitted to the government-run Mohammed V Hospital in Safi for medical attention. Six people were discharged, while the remaining 14 remained in the hospital, including two in intensive care units.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing, and necessary measures have been taken to secure the affected areas and provide support to residents, it added.

The Education Ministry said that schools were suspended in the city and surrounding areas due to bad weather conditions.

On Sunday, Morocco’s state news agency, citing local officials, reported that exceptionally heavy rainfall over a short period – about an hour – unleashed powerful floodwaters that inundated homes and businesses across the city. The flooding followed intense thunderstorm activity.