Investigation into the Future Tragedy Revives Records of Illegal Construction Violations in Fez
On April 26, 2026, local authorities in the Zawagha-Bensouda area of Fez have resumed the use of records specifically designed to monitor violations related to illegal construction within the neighborhoods of the region. This revival of record-keeping is closely tied to the investigations that were initiated following a tragic incident involving the collapse of two buildings in the Al-Mustaqbal neighborhood of the Al-Masira area.
The collapse, which occurred in early December of the previous year, resulted in the unfortunate deaths of approximately 22 individuals and injuries to around 16 others. Investigations revealed that illegal construction practices were rampant, with unauthorized additional floors added, violations of urban planning laws, and a blatant disregard for established construction standards.
As a result of these investigations, around eight individuals have been detained, among a total of 21 individuals that a judge has decided to prosecute in connection with this ongoing case. Among those being prosecuted are members of the local authority. Reports suggest that the inquiry has also extended to several officials who previously worked in the area and are suspected of having connections to the illegal construction violations that have plagued the region.
Previously, authorities maintained records of detected violations, which documented the types of violations, along with relevant details about the locations and individuals involved. However, this practice was discontinued approximately six years ago under unclear circumstances. During this gap, local officials only sent photographs of the recorded violations to their superiors, which has led to a significant lack of oversight and accountability regarding illegal construction in the area.
Insiders indicate that the discontinuation of record-keeping has created a noticeable void in tracking the repercussions of these violations and monitoring the authorities' interventions against them, despite the ongoing proliferation of non-compliant construction practices in the region. The return to documenting these violations is seen as a crucial step towards restoring order and accountability in urban development.
As reported by kech24.com.
