Stampede for food aid leaves 15 dead, 5 hurt in Morocco

RABAT, MOROCCO — A stampede in a southern Moroccan village left at least 15 people dead and five others injured Sunday as food aid was being distributed, the Interior Ministry said.

The crush took place in Sidi Boulalam, in the prov- ince of Essaouira, as a local association was distributing food aid in a local weekly “souk,” or market, the min- istry said in a statement.

King Mohammed VI has given instructions that “all measures be taken to help the victims and their fami- about 35 miles from the city lies,” the ministry said. The of Essaouira. king will pay for the hospiDistributions of food aid talization of the wounded are common in the North and the burials of the dead, African nation, notably in according to the statement. remote parts of the coun

Alyaoum24.com, a local try. They are organized by and reliable news website, private sponsors and groups reported that people were as well as by the authorities. rushing for food aid whose Often held once a week in value was about $16 per per- ruralareasofMorocco,thesouks son. areusuallyverybusyplaces.Peo

The mayor of the nearby ple from nearby villages come city of Essaouira, Hicham to the markets to buy food and Jbari, told The Associated other items for a week.

Press that the tragedy’s vicA drought has greatly hurt tims have been transported agricultural output in Morocco to his town’s hospital. The recently, contributing to the village of Sidi Boulalam is high cost of basic food items.