SAFI, Morocco — Thirty-seven people have died following sudden flash floods and severe inundations that swept the Atlantic coastal city of Safi on Sunday, December 14. This catastrophic event marks the heaviest death toll from severe weather in the country over the last decade.
Local authorities confirmed the deaths and reported that 14 people were injured, including two who were admitted to intensive care at the Mohammed V Hospital in Safi, where an emergency response plan was immediately activated.
The port city, located approximately 300 km south of the capital Rabat, was struck by violent storm precipitation on Sunday that generated “exceptional torrential flows” within the span of just one hour, officials stated.
Dramatic Loss and Devastating Damage
Images circulating on social media showed a torrent of muddy water raging down Safi’s streets, sweeping away cars, garbage bins, and commercial goods. Other visuals depicted a partially submerged mausoleum and Civil Protection boats rescuing trapped residents.
The floodwaters caused considerable damage, especially in the old city center, which is renowned for its ceramics and handicraft workshops. Hundreds of earthenware objects—plates, tagine dishes, and jars—were seen lying broken or buried under thick mud.
“The water overwhelmed us,” recounted Hanane Nasreddine, a mother of six, to AFP, her voice trembling. “We couldn’t sleep all night, we lost everything, even my children’s school books. The situation is dramatic.”
Another resident, Nezha El Meghouari, described her terrifying escape: “I lost all my clothes, my neighbor gave me some to cover myself. I have nothing left,” she said. “When my house flooded, someone yelled: ‘Get out, you will die.’ I saw how much water there was, and I fled.”
Abdelkader Mezraoui, a 55-year-old shopkeeper, stressed the economic fallout. “The losses are considerable. Jewelers lost all their merchandise… the same goes for clothing store owners,” he told AFP, expressing hope for government compensation.
Official Response and Climate Context
By Monday morning, the water had receded, and residents were busy cleaning the fronts of their homes while authorities cleared debris from the streets.
In response to the tragedy, the national prosecutor’s office announced the opening of an inquiry to “determine the causes of this tragic incident and clarify the circumstances.” Additionally, a meeting was held at the prefecture headquarters to assess the extent of the damage and review “emergency measures to be taken,” according to the Moroccan news agency MAP.
As a preventive measure, the local branch of the Ministry of National Education suspended classes for three days to ensure the safety of students.
Experts note that while flash floods are not uncommon in Morocco, climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent and intense. In Morocco, the persistence of evaporation from the summer combined with limited temperature drops in autumn now increases the risk of intense downpours. Regional authorities have called for increased vigilance and caution, given the extreme climatic fluctuations the country is experiencing.
The disaster is the deadliest since at least November 2014, when 32 people died in southern Morocco following violent rainfall. In September 2024, similar bad weather caused 18 deaths in the south and southeast.
The General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) announced that heavy showers, sometimes stormy, are expected from Monday to Wednesday in several provinces, including Safi.
