Tata Bus Tragedy in Morocco: Death Toll Rises to 11 as Floodwaters Recede
Tata, Morocco – The morocco-urgent-calls-intervention/” title=”Measles Outbreak Kills 8 in Morocco, Urgent Calls for Intervention”>death toll from a devastating bus accident in southern Morocco has risen to 11, with six individuals still missing, as authorities continue to grapple with the aftermath of flash floods that ravaged the region.
The tragedy unfolded on Sunday night when a Tata bus was swept away by powerful floodwaters in the Tamenart area of Tata province. The region, known for its rugged terrain and seasonal wadis (dry riverbeds), was hit by torrential rains, causing the normally dry Tamenart wadi to swell rapidly.
Rescue workers have been tirelessly searching for survivors and recovering bodies. As of Wednesday morning, 11 bodies had been recovered, with five of the deceased confirmed as passengers from the bus. The search continues for the remaining missing individuals, including a woman from the village of Yghrn who was reported missing on Friday night.
Omar Bouhous, the head of the Tamenart commune, confirmed that while no casualties were reported directly from the flooding, the material damage was significant. Many homes, particularly those constructed from mud brick, were damaged or destroyed, leaving families displaced. The floods also disrupted essential services, with several neighborhoods experiencing disruptions to their drinking water supply and damage to road infrastructure.
This tragic incident highlights the devastating impact of flash floods, which are becoming increasingly common in arid and semi-arid regions like southern Morocco due to climate change. The unpredictable nature of these events, coupled with often inadequate infrastructure, makes them particularly dangerous.
Moroccan authorities have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the bus accident and assess the overall impact of the floods.
