Morocco: Violent Sandstorm Kills Man in Marrakesh

A young man died after a windblown tree fell.

The gusts of wind that swept through Marrakesh (Thursday 10 August) were accompanied by a sandstorm that blew ochre over the city.

These were real apocalyptic scenes in Marrakesh yesterday afternoon. A violent sandstorm descended on the city, dramatically darkening the city’s skies. It was accompanied by gusts of wind, reaching a speed of 80 km/h, according to the services of the Directorate General of Meteorology.

Near Jemaâ El Fna Square, a young man died when a tree fell and could not withstand the force of the winds, a Le360 journalist said. Later, another man escaped handsomely when he was crushed by a large wardrobe, also fallen by gusts of wind.

Material damage was much greater. In addition to street furniture, which has been affected by strong winds, restaurants and street traders in the square cite completely destroyed stalls, badly damaged storefronts and facilities damaged by the storm.