No fewer than 24 people have died after they were trapped in an illegal, underground textile factory in Morocco’s Tangier city, local authorities said on Monday.
Moroccan news agency MAP reported that the workers were trapped after their textile factory in the cellar of a villa in El Mers area, was flooded by rainwater.
Water poured into the basement area beneath a private house in Tangier. Many of those trapped inside were rescued by a local man who brought them to safety using a rope.
Ten of the survivors rescued by civil protection teams have been taken to hospital. Search teams are currently searching for more trapped workers.
Local reports said those who died were all aged between 20 and 40.
It’s not known how many people were in the building at the time of the flood but rescue workers are still at the scene and an investigation has been launched.
Morocco has experienced heavy rains in recent weeks, with blocked drains leading to flooding cities.
Videos from Tangier over the past few days showed cars completely submerged in water.
Morocco’s textile and leather industry is heavily reliant on informal operations including unregulated factories leading to unsafe conditions for workers.