The torrential floods that struck the suburbs of Tetouan province on Saturday evening caused a painful human tragedy after the waters of the Al-Qashr valley swept away two cars in the Beni Harchan commune in the Dar Shawi region, administratively part of Al-Bughaghzah, leaving two children dead and the search continuing for a number of missing persons in an incident that shook the local population and left them in a state of shock and anticipation.
The incident occurred, according to sources from the scene who spoke to "Al-Sahifa," around six in the evening, when families tried to leave the area towards Tangier after the waters flooded the vicinity of their homes due to heavy rainfall and rising river levels. However, the attempt to cross turned into a tragedy when the floods surprised them and swept away the two cars with force amidst a violent water current.
According to the same sources, one of the cars was carrying a family of five from the residents of Dar Shawi village. Its members tried to cross the valley, which was in a state of severe agitation, defying the force of the water in an attempt to survive and leave the area that the floods had infiltrated. However, the current was stronger than the vehicle, sweeping it away for a long distance estimated at about 800 meters after it passed over a small bridge that did not withstand the force of the flow before disappearing in the water.
Civil defense teams, after meticulous search operations amidst difficult climatic conditions, managed to retrieve the bodies of two children from among the family members, one of whom was about three years old, while the second body belonged to a girl whose age has not yet been precisely determined, at a time when search operations continue for three missing persons who were on board the same car.
The incident was not limited to this family alone, as data indicates that at approximately the same time, floods swept away a second car carrying two people who had also tried to cross the same point. The car was swept away for a shorter distance without overturning, and its occupants were able to get out safely after moments of terror, in a scene that reflects the extent of the danger posed by the floods at that moment.
The details of the incident show that the crossing point was experiencing a rapid and sudden rise in water levels, which made the small bridge unsafe for passage, especially with the continued flow of water from the neighboring highlands.
Upon being notified of the incident, civil protection elements, supported by local authorities and the Royal Gendarmerie, moved to the scene, where they began extensive search and sweeping operations along the course of the valley and its banks, under complex field conditions due to the strong current and continued rainfall. The governor of the Tetouan province also arrived at the site to monitor the rescue operations and closely follow the interventions on the ground, amid a clear mobilization of various competent departments that continued their work for long hours searching for the missing, amidst great anticipation and concern among the local population who followed the details of the tragedy moment by moment.
This tragedy comes in the context of strong atmospheric disturbances that have been affecting large areas of the north of the Kingdom for days. Heavy rainfall has caused a rise in the water levels of valleys and sudden floods through rural roads and low-lying areas, increasing the danger of travel and raising the level of risks, especially in areas crossed by small bridges or unpaved roads.
Authorities had previously issued repeated warnings urging citizens to exercise caution and avoid approaching or attempting to cross valleys during heavy rainfall due to the direct dangers posed by flash floods to life. Water levels can rise suddenly within a few minutes and turn into a raging current capable of sweeping away cars and people without warning.
Data related to the incident indicates that the families who attempted to cross were seeking to leave the area after water had seeped into the vicinity of their homes, prompting them to risk crossing the valley at a highly dangerous time, before that attempt turned into a harsh human tragedy.
The incident has caused widespread grief and shock among the residents, especially with the ongoing search for the three missing individuals. The banks of the Al-Qashr valley have become a site of constant alert since the early hours of the incident, as rescue teams continue extensive search operations in the hope of finding them.
This tragic incident once again highlights the significant dangers associated with crossing valleys during periods of adverse weather, and the speed at which watercourses can transform into uncontrollable torrents, especially in rural areas where water levels rise suddenly with heavy rainfall. It also underscores the importance of adhering to the preventive warnings that authorities consistently issue in such conditions, repeatedly emphasizing the need to stay away from valleys and avoid crossing them, no matter how low the water appears, because the current's strength can multiply in a few moments and become a direct threat to citizens' lives.
