15 dead, 10 hurt in a stampede for food aid in Morocco | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
Subscribe

Would you like to subscribe to our newsletter?

15 dead, 10 hurt in a stampede for food aid in Morocco

FILE - A Thursday Oct. 19, 2017 file photo of Moroccan women filling up containers with water from a hose, in Zagora, southeastern Morocco. Experts blame poor choices in agriculture, growing populations and climate change for the water shortages in towns like Zagora, which has seen repeated protests for access to clean water in recent weeks. Moroccan state TV channel 2M reports that at least 15 people have died and 5 others have been injured in a stampede Sunday Nov. 19, 2017 as food aid was being distributed in the village of Sidi Boulalam, in the southern province of Essaouira. (AP Photo/Issam Oukhouya, File)
Original Publication Date November 19, 2017 - 6:56 AM

MARRAKECH, Morocco - A stampede erupted while food aid was being distributed in a Moroccan village Sunday and at least 15 people died and 10 were injured, authorities said.

The crush took place in Sidi Boulalam as a local association was handing out food at a local weekly "souk," or market, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. The town is in Essaouira province, which abuts the Atlantic coast southwest of Casablanca.

King Mohammed VI has given instructions that "all measures be taken to help the victims and their families," the ministry said. The king will pay for the hospitalization of the injured and burials of the dead, the statement said.

Alyaoum24.com, a reliable local news website, reported that people were rushing for the food aid whose value was about $16 per person.

Regional health director Khalid Zenjari told The Associated Press that six of the injured were evacuated to the city of Essaouira, about 60 kilometres (35 miles) away, while four were treated locally.

Distribution of food aid is common in the North African nation, particularly in remote areas. The handouts are organized by private sponsors and groups as well as by the authorities.

Often held once a week in rural areas, souks are usually very busy places. People from nearby villages come to the markets to buy food and others items for the following week.

A drought has greatly hurt agricultural output in Morocco recently, contributing to the high cost of basic food items.

News from © The Associated Press, 2017
The Associated Press

  • Popular vernon News
View Site in: Desktop | Mobile