February 19, a mosque minaret collapsed in Meknes, northwestern Morocco killing at least 36 people and wounding 70 others.

According to local authorities, hundreds of worshippers gathered in mosque for the Friday afternoon mass prayers.

Presently, rescue teams are working in the accident site. Moroccan Interior Minister arrived in the emergency site to control rescue operations. The injured were hospitalized in Fez city (the second largest city in Morocco).

Meanwhile, according to local civil defense official, rescue operation was slow because of the narrow streets where the collapsed mosque is located.

Accident causes are clarified. Under preliminary data, a four centuries-old mosque minaret might collapse after the heavy rains in the region within the past days, Lenta.ru. informs.

L.A.