Fez Building Collapse Trial Set for August 10

Morocco's Court of Appeal in Fez scheduled the first hearing for the criminal trial of 21 defendants linked to the December collapse of two residential buildings in the city. The disaster killed 22 people, including children and women, and injured 16 others.

The prosecution alleges a range of offences, including bribery, manslaughter through negligence, illegal construction of extra floors without permits, unlawful air‑space use, fraudulent sale contracts and abuse of authority. Technical investigations found that the buildings were erected and modified in violation of licensing rules. The trial will begin on Monday, 10 August, at 09:00 in courtroom 2, after the case was transferred from the public prosecutor to the primary criminal chamber for further examination.

The proceedings aim to determine responsibility for the fatal collapse and address the alleged corruption and regulatory breaches that contributed to the tragedy.