Illegal Well Tragedy in Morocco: Farmer Jailed After 3 Die in Rescue Attempt

The farmer had dug a well over thirty meters deep without authorization. His older brother, having found himself trapped at the bottom of the well, called for help. The imam and the younger brother tried to rescue him, but were also victims of asphyxiation.

The tragedy left two widows and ten orphans, including a newborn less than twenty days old. In addition to the prison sentence, the farmer will have to pay a fine and compensation to the victims’ families.

The public prosecutor had charged the defendant with involuntary manslaughter due to negligence and recklessness, as well as drilling a well without authorization. The man had been arrested by the gendarmerie of Ba Mohamed and detained for a month before being tried.