In brief
Recent flash floods in Morocco's Safi region have resulted in at least 37 fatalities, with significant damage to homes and infrastructure. Many residents are now homeless, having lost everything to the catastrophic deluge, which experts attribute in part to the ongoing climate crisis affecting weather patterns in the region. Local authorities continue their search and rescue efforts as the situation remains dire.
Flash floods have killed at least 37 people in Morocco's coastal Safi region, according to state-owned television. Cars and mounds of rubbish were seen sweeping through the main port city of Safi after torrential rain hit on Sunday.
Dozens of people have been receiving treatment in hospital for their injuries, say local authorities, and at least 70 homes have been inundated in the old city centre. Local reports say access to and from the city is blocked on certain roads because of damage and debris.
Residents on Sunday described it as a dark day, with one telling the AFP news agency: I've lost all my clothes. Only my neighbour gave me some to cover myself. I have nothing left. I've lost everything. Another survivor said he wanted to see government trucks at the scene to pump out the water.
Moroccan authorities say search and rescue missions are still under way. Experts say the climate crisis is in part responsible for the extreme weather fluctuations seen in the North African state. It has suffered seven years of drought in a row, depleting its reservoirs. Last year was officially the hottest ever on record.
This latest, sudden downpour is expected to continue on Tuesday together with snowfall across the Atlas mountains, Morocco's weather service warns.
