At least 21 dead in 24 hours in Morocco after a new heat wave

Twenty-one people died in 24 hours in the Beni Mellal urban area in central Morocco due to a new heat wave that hit the country, which is in the grip of its sixth consecutive year of drought, the Ministry of Health said on Thursday, July 25.

The General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) had announced a severe heat wave from Monday to Wednesday in several localities, with temperatures reaching up to 48°C, particularly in Beni Mellal.

In this city located more than 200 km southeast of Casablanca, where the thermometer still shows around 43 degrees on Thursday, 21 people died on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Health.

“The majority of deaths concern people suffering from chronic diseases and the elderly, as high temperatures contributed to the deterioration of their health and led to their death,” the regional health directorate said in a statement.

The Ministry of Health has announced measures to counter the effects of the heat, including “establishing permanent staff in health establishments in regions affected by rising temperatures”, in addition to the mobilisation of health professionals and “the provision of medicines and hospital equipment”.