Clarion Newschannel – December 16, 2025
Torrential rains triggered devastating flash floods in the Moroccan port city of Safi on Sunday, killing at least 37 people and injuring others, in what authorities describe as one of the deadliest such disasters in the country in over a decade.
The floods struck suddenly after just one hour of intense rainfall, overwhelming the historic old city center. Muddy torrents swept through streets, inundating at least 70 homes and businesses, sweeping away vehicles, and cutting off roads in and around the Atlantic coastal city, located about 300 km south of Rabat.
Local authorities reported that 14 people received medical treatment, with two remaining in intensive care as of Monday. Rescue operations continued into Tuesday, with teams searching for possible additional casualties amid the mud-sodden landscape.
Videos and images circulating on social media captured the chaos: raging muddy waters carrying cars, rubbish bins, and debris through the streets. One video showed rescuers pulling a woman to safety from floodwaters near an ancient gate in the old town.
“It’s a black day,” local resident Hamza Chdouani told reporters, as schools remained closed and residents began salvaging belongings from flooded homes.
The sudden downpour comes after seven consecutive years of severe drought in Morocco, which has hardened soils and reduced reservoir levels, making the country more vulnerable to flash flooding. Experts note that climate change is intensifying extreme weather patterns in the region.
Morocco’s weather service has warned of more heavy rains across the country on Tuesday, along with snowfall in the Atlas Mountains, urging heightened vigilance.
This tragedy follows other recent disasters in Morocco, including building collapses and earlier floods, highlighting ongoing challenges with infrastructure and extreme weather. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the flooding.
Deadly Flash Floods Claim At Least 37 Lives in Morocco’s Coastal City of Safi
