Rabat, Morocco (Earth Times) - Victims' families have criticized the Moroccan authorities over the collapse of a minaret which killed 41 people and injured at least 75 in the north of the country, press reports said Sunday. The 400-year-old minaret collapsed over a mosque where 300 people were holding Friday prayers in the northern city of Meknes.
Nearly 20 of the injured victims remained in hospital on Sunday, some of them in a critical condition.
Victims' family members attending funerals accused the authorities of having ignored warnings about the poor state of the minaret.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs is responsible for maintaining mosques in Morocco. King Mohammed VI ordered an investigation into the safety of older mosques in the north African country.
Authorities blamed the collapse on heavy rainfall and storms which had gone on for several days.
The monarch has pledged to pay personally for the funerals of the victims. The king also promised the quick reconstruction of the mosque, one of the oldest in Meknes.
Meknes has about half a million residents and along with Fes, Marakesh and Rabat is one of Morocco's four so-called royal cities. In the past it was the seat of one of the country's ruling dynasties. Meknes' medina or historical center is listed as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO.
Nearly 20 of the injured victims remained in hospital on Sunday, some of them in a critical condition.
Victims' family members attending funerals accused the authorities of having ignored warnings about the poor state of the minaret.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs is responsible for maintaining mosques in Morocco. King Mohammed VI ordered an investigation into the safety of older mosques in the north African country.
Authorities blamed the collapse on heavy rainfall and storms which had gone on for several days.
The monarch has pledged to pay personally for the funerals of the victims. The king also promised the quick reconstruction of the mosque, one of the oldest in Meknes.
Meknes has about half a million residents and along with Fes, Marakesh and Rabat is one of Morocco's four so-called royal cities. In the past it was the seat of one of the country's ruling dynasties. Meknes' medina or historical center is listed as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO.
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