Heatwave kills 21 in Morocco
A scorching heatwave claimed the lives of at least 21 people in the central Moroccan city of Beni Mellal within a 24-hour period, the health ministry announced on Thursday.
Temperatures soared across much of the North African nation this week, reaching a blistering 48 degrees Celsius in some areas.
The elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions were particularly vulnerable to the extreme heat, according to local health officials.
While Beni Mellal continues to experience high temperatures, with readings of 43 degrees Celsius recorded on Thursday, a cooling trend is expected to begin this weekend. (ILKHA)