SAFI, Morocco – At least 37 people were killed after flash floods devastated the coastal town of Safi on Sunday, local officials confirmed Monday, marking Morocco’s deadliest such disaster in over a decade. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing.
The torrential rains, which struck a region long afflicted by drought, unleashed a muddy deluge through the streets of Safi, located approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) south of the capital, Rabat. The flooding swept away vehicles and debris, leaving streets impassable and forcing the closure of schools for a minimum of three days.
In response to the crisis, Mohammed V Hospital in Safi activated a comprehensive emergency plan. Dr. Khalid Iazza, the hospital’s director, stated that the protocol involved the full mobilization of medical, nursing, and administrative staff, alongside all necessary human and logistical resources.
“The hospital has allocated 50 dedicated beds for these cases, with the capacity to expand into other departments if required,” Dr. Iazza said in a statement. He confirmed the availability of all critical medical equipment, including CT scanners, X-ray machines, and laboratory facilities, reporting no shortages in the institution’s response.
The medical mobilization included five emergency physicians, two anesthesiologists, an orthopedic surgeon, and a neurosurgeon. By 6 p.m. Sunday, the emergency department had triaged 61 cases. Two patients were admitted to the intensive care unit and remain in stable condition, while eighteen others were hospitalized with severe hypothermia.
As of Monday morning, Dr. Iazza reported that the situation was stabilizing. Thirteen patients had been discharged, with five others continuing treatment in addition to the two stable ICU patients, who are expected to be transferred later today or tomorrow.
“The situation is under control thanks to the hospital’s preparedness and mobilization, which made it possible to provide all necessary medical care to the patients,” Dr. Iazza concluded.
BY: The Times Union
