At least four people were killed and six others injured after a five-story residential building collapsed early Thursday in the Ain Nokbi area of Fez, according to updated figures reported by local media, Morocco World News reported. Rescue operations are still underway as emergency teams search for possible survivors trapped under the rubble.

The building collapse occurred about 200 kilometers east of the capital, Rabat, prompting a large-scale emergency response and evacuation of nearby structures amid fears of further structural failures.

Six people, including a child, were killed when a building collapsed in Fez, Morocco. pic.twitter.com/Un32tD531v

— World Source News (@Worldsource24) May 21, 2026

Local authorities confirmed that the residential building collapsed during the night, catching residents off guard. Emergency crews were immediately dispatched to the scene, where they began clearing debris and searching for individuals believed to be trapped.

State media outlet 2M initially reported a higher death toll of 11 people, but later issued a correction confirming that at least four people had been killed. Officials said six others sustained injuries, though the severity of their conditions has not yet been fully detailed.

Rescue operations and evacuations

Rescue teams, supported by residents, were seen digging through the remains of the collapsed structure in an effort to locate survivors. Footage from the scene showed significant destruction, with large sections of the building reduced to debris.

As a precaution, authorities ordered the evacuation of neighboring buildings, warning that surrounding structures could also be at risk of collapse. Emergency services are maintaining a perimeter around the site while structural engineers assess the stability of nearby properties.

The initial discrepancy in casualty figures highlights the challenges faced during fast-moving disaster responses. While early reports suggested a higher death toll, officials later revised the number following verification at the scene.

History of building safety concerns in Morocco

The collapse adds to a series of structural incidents in Morocco in recent years, raising concerns about building safety and urban housing conditions.

In December, two buildings collapsed in Fez, killing at least 22 people, underscoring ongoing risks in older residential structures.

In 2010, the collapse of a minaret in the historic northern city of Meknes killed 41 people, marking one of the country’s deadliest structural incidents in recent decades.

Officials have repeatedly warned about the vulnerability of aging buildings, particularly in densely populated urban areas.

In this context, Adib Ben Ibrahim, the housing secretary of state, stated last year that approximately 38,800 buildings across the country had been classified as at risk of collapse. The figure reflects widespread concerns about structural integrity, especially in older neighborhoods and informal housing zones.