• At least 22 people have died following the collapse of two buildings in Fez, Morocco.
• The buildings, which housed eight families, showed signs of structural deterioration.
• Rescue efforts are ongoing, with many residents evacuated as a precaution.
• This incident is the second fatal building collapse in Fez this year.
• Public safety concerns have been amplified amid protests over infrastructure issues in Morocco.

At least 22 people have been confirmed dead and 16 injured after the collapse of two four-storey residential buildings in Fez, Morocco, early on December 10. The buildings, located in the Al-Mustaqbal neighborhood, were inhabited by eight families at the time of the incident, according to Al Jazeera, India Times, Reuters.

Rescue teams, including police and civil protection units, launched extensive search operations through the night, responding quickly to reports of the collapse. Local authorities confirmed that the injured were transported to the university hospital center in Fez, and search efforts continued as residents expressed anger over the incident, citing the buildings had shown signs of neglect for years, reports Africa News and South China Morning Post.

This tragic event is the second major building collapse in Fez this year, with a prior incident in May resulting in ten fatalities. The city, one of Morocco's oldest and a host for major upcoming events like the Africa Cup of Nations, has ongoing issues related to poor infrastructure and unregulated building practices. Public discourse has highlighted these concerns as a focal point for recent protests over governmental neglect and housing demands, according to Africa News and BBC.

Initial findings from the scene uncovered signals of structural instability, with some reports indicating the buildings may have been improperly maintained. An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause behind this catastrophic failure, echoing community frustrations with widespread issues surrounding inadequate housing regulations in Morocco, per South China Morning Post and BBC.