Tragic holidays in Morocco: a young French football hopeful loses his life in Marrakech

It is a tragedy that leaves one speechless. On Wednesday, December 31st, as the world was preparing to celebrate the new year, the Khachroub family was living a nightmare in Marrakech. Yousri, a "smiling and appreciated by all" teenager, was enjoying a family vacation at the Marrakech Golf City complex (Le Saphir residence). Around 6:40 pm, finding the setting ideal, the young athlete decided to go for a short half-hour jog. He never returned.

Concern quickly grew when he did not come back. This was followed by ten hours of anguish and desperate searches. It is ultimately the worst-case scenario that is confirmed: Yousri was found dead at the bottom of a well about fifty meters deep.

The victim’s father, Mourad Khachroub, provided a poignant testimony on social media to explain the circumstances of the tragedy. According to him, his son, who had a phobia of dogs, would have run to escape a pack. In his flight, and in the darkness, he did not see the danger. "The only refuge he thought he had found was this place. My son fell into it, I knew it when I found his sneaker on the edge," the devastated father recounts.

Beyond the pain, it is anger that dominates. Yousri’s father denounces serious security breaches in this area where housing is under construction. "There was no security on that side... What happened is unacceptable. It’s an injustice," he claims, also pointing to the presumed incompetence of the security guards and the lack of surveillance cameras that could have accelerated the search.

The football world in mourning The news has caused a shock wave in France, particularly at FC Mougins where Yousri played in the U14 team after passing through OGC Nice. The club paid a vibrant tribute to its player: "Beyond the player, we especially want to salute the teenager: a charming, endearing boy... His smile will remain engraved."