FEZ, Morocco — A grieving community is mourning the loss of 15 lives following the catastrophic collapse of a residential building in the northern Moroccan city of Fez.

The tragedy unfolded early on Thursday morning, May 21, 2026 in the densely populated Ain Nokbi neighborhood, located south of the city. The multi-storey residential building, which housed 11 apartments, suffered a complete and sudden collapse, sending shockwaves through the local community.

According to reports, rescue teams worked tirelessly to navigate the debris, ultimately recovering 13 bodies from the rubble. Two additional victims later succumbed to their injuries after being transported to a local hospital, bringing the final death toll to 15. At least five other individuals were reported injured during the incident.

The collapse caused significant panic among residents in the immediate vicinity. In the interest of public safety, authorities evacuated four adjacent buildings to prevent further casualties as the area was secured.

While rescue operations have now concluded, the focus has shifted toward understanding the circumstances that led to this disaster. Judicial police have launched a formal investigation to determine the underlying cause of the structural failure. As of Friday, no official comment regarding the cause of the collapse had been issued by the authorities.

This incident marks yet another somber chapter for Fez, which has experienced several building collapses in recent years. Local residents and families of the victims have voiced their distress, with many calling for urgent investigations into building safety and construction standards in the region to prevent future tragedies.