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CNDH urges immediate action on housing safety after Fez building collapses kill 22
The National Council for Human Rights (CNDH) has called for urgent measures to ensure adequate housing rights following the collapse of two residential buildings in Fez, which left 22 dead and 16 injured. The tragedy occurred in the Al Massira district’s Al Moustakbal neighborhood between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
Local authorities confirmed the final death toll after completing search and debris removal operations. One of the buildings was empty, while the other was hosting a baptism ceremony during the collapse around 11:20 p.m.
Concerns over systemic failures
The CNDH expressed deep concern over the incident, labeling repeated building collapses a violation of adequate housing rights as defined by international standards. The council emphasized that housing must meet criteria such as structural safety, protection from hazards, and access to basic services, as outlined in both the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Morocco’s constitution.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the collapsed buildings were constructed in 2006 under the "Fez, city without slums" program. Administrative and judicial inquiries, supervised by the prosecutor’s office, are underway to identify technical causes and determine any procedural lapses in urban planning and construction standards. Technical experts have been commissioned to gather data and assess potential failures.
Policy recommendations
In its statement, the CNDH called for a comprehensive national strategy to prevent building collapses by establishing monitoring mechanisms, enhancing institutional coordination, and enforcing urban planning laws. The council recommended publishing the judicial investigation results and holding accountable those responsible for regulatory breaches.
The organization also urged the government to accelerate rehabilitation efforts in deteriorating neighborhoods, particularly in historic areas, and to prioritize preventive measures, including structural inspections and emergency interventions for buildings showing signs of damage.
Emergency response and citizen cooperation
Authorities, civil protection units, and security forces responded swiftly to the collapse, evacuating neighboring residents and transferring the injured to Fez’s university hospital. The CNDH stressed the importance of citizen cooperation in reporting structural risks, adhering to evacuation directives, and supporting rehousing initiatives.
The council reiterated its demand for a sustainable public policy to rehouse families in buildings at risk of collapse, advocating for integrated housing solutions founded on fairness and territorial justice.
