Two Dead, Several Injured as Residential Building Collapses in Casablanca’s Old Medina

At least two people have been confirmed dead and several others injured after a residential building collapsed on Wednesday in the Old Medina district of Casablanca, Morocco’s economic capital.

According to local authorities, the incident occurred in the early hours of the morning when the multi-storey structure, which housed several families, gave way without warning. Emergency responders rushed to the scene to assist survivors and search for those trapped under the debris.

Among the deceased were an elderly man and his wife who lived on the top floor of the building. Rescue workers said the couple was unable to escape before the structure collapsed. Several other residents sustained injuries of varying degrees and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Civil protection units, firefighters, and medical personnel have continued operations at the site, working under challenging conditions to locate survivors. Reports indicate that a 26-year-old man remains trapped beneath the rubble, with rescue teams using specialized equipment and dogs in a race against time to save him.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse. Preliminary assessments suggest that the building may have been in a weakened structural state, a recurring concern in Casablanca’s historic Old Medina, where many residential structures are decades old and in need of maintenance.

Casablanca officials have repeatedly warned about the vulnerability of aging buildings in the city’s older quarters. Several incidents of partial or total building collapses have been recorded in recent years, often linked to poor maintenance, overcrowding, and exposure to seasonal humidity.

The city’s civil protection department has reiterated its commitment to inspecting high-risk buildings and relocating residents from unsafe structures to prevent further tragedies.

As rescue efforts continue, the atmosphere in the neighborhood remains tense, with families anxiously waiting for news of missing loved ones. The government has expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged support for those affected by the collapse.