Morocco building collapse death toll rises to 22

The death toll from the collapse of two adjacent residential buildings in the city of Fez, Morocco, has risen to 22, authorities confirmed.

Sixteen additional people were injured in the incident, which occurred on December 9 in the El Mustakbal district, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

Women and children are among the victims. Initial reports had put the number of fatalities at 19, including four children. Two pregnant women were rescued alive from the debris.

Emergency services responded rapidly, and several of the injured were transported to hospital, some in critical condition. Residents living near the site were evacuated as a precaution while rescue and recovery operations continued.

An investigation into the cause of the collapse has been launched, but the circumstances leading to the disaster remain unclear. Eight families were believed to have been living in the two buildings at the time of the incident.

By Sabina Mammadli