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Flash floods in Morocco ‘kill 32’

Flooding in southern Morocco is reported to have killed 32 people and six others are missing after heavy rain.

A girl of nine was among those who had been swept away by the raging waters of the Tamsourt River, according to local media reports.

Around 100 mud-brick homes were partly or totally destroyed and 100 roads, including six national highways, were cut off in the floods.

Flooding around the ancient city of Marrakesh left tour buses briefly stranded.

Flash floods are fairly common in Morocco, which is popular with tourists.

Rescue operations saved “200 people in danger, among them 40 helped by army and royal guard helicopters”, the AFP news agency quoted an interior ministry statement as saying.

About 130 all-terrain rescue vehicles and 335 inflatable boats and other vessels were being used to search for the missing, the ministry said.

In the southern city of Guelmim, 24 people were killed by a flash flood that swept through a dry river bed.

Many of the dead and missing came from families that were trapped in vehicles swept away by the waters, the Associated Press news agency quoted local media as saying.

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