Train derailed in Morocco - UPDATE #2

Train derails between Sale and Kenitra - this story will be updated when more information comes to hand

The ONCF train derailed near Bouknadel

UPDATE #1  A fast shuttle train from Casablanca to Kenitra derailed Tuesday morning at the bridge of Bouknadel, near the town of Salé.

Abdellatif Soudou, deputy mayor of the town of Salé, said that a provisional assessment prepared by the local authorities on the spot report several deaths: "At least five deaths are to be deplored for the moment, with several wounded. We hope this figure does not increase".

The information, still unofficial, is relayed by several Moroccan netizens on social networks. While some say that the train would have overturned, others only evoke a derailment. Shocking videos report deaths and injuries without figures. Moroccans mention the arrival of ambulances and local authorities, who arrived after the accident.

A source at the National Railways Office (ONCF) said, "For now. We do not have details yet to report on this incident".

The fast shuttle trains initially connect Casablanca to Kenitra with a rate of one train every half hour in each direction.

UPDATE #2:
Seven people lost their lives while 86 others were injured in the derailment this Tuesday morning in Bouknadel, near the town of Salé. An investigation has been opened as experts attempt to determine the causes and circumstances of this tragic accident.

The Director General of the National Office of Railways (ONCF) said that 86 people were injured in the reversal of a train from Casablanca to Kenitra. "Seven people among the wounded in this traffic accident that took place around 10H20 are in serious condition and were transported to the military hospital Mohammed V in Rabat," he added.

Asked about the circumstances of this tragedy, the Director General of ONCF said that "ONCF experts are currently working to explain this accident and determine its causes."

King Mohammed VI gave orders to the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Equipment, Transport, Logistics and Water, who visited the scene of the accident, for the evacuation of the wounded to the military hospital Mohammed V of Rabat in order to receive the necessary care

"As a sign of compassion with the bereaved families of the victims, and to alleviate their suffering as a result of this tragic accident, inscribed in the unstoppable destiny of God, the King has decided to personally bear the burial costs of the victims and their funerals, expressing their deep condolences and sincere feelings of compassion." -Royal Cabinet Communiqué

"An investigation has been opened to determine the causes and circumstances of this accident," he concludes.

SHARE THIS!

Fes Festival of Sufi Culture - update

Only five days to go before the Fes Festival of Sufi Culture begins

The opening day events: October 20th - 
16h00 :Festival opening at – à la Salle de la Préfecture de Fès-Médina
20h 30 Opening performance at Bab Al Makina - Création artistique : « Odes aux femmes mystiques » With: Bahaa Ronda, Carole Latifa, Leili Anvar, Françoise Atlan, les femmes de Chefchaoun à Bab Al Makina

The View From Fez is an official Media Partner of the festival

For more information - CLICK HERE

SHARE THIS!

International Date Show in Erfoud

The 9th edition of the International Exhibition of Dates (Sidattes) will take place from 25 to 28 October in Erfoud, under the theme "logistics and development of the dates sector".

Placed under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, this show aims to highlight aspects related to logistics and develop the date chain, as well as to enhance the Moroccan production of dates.

Organised by the International Association of Dates of Morocco Association (ASIDMA), under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Fisheries, this event is an opportunity to present the different varieties of dates produced in the Drâa region. Tafilalet and look for ways to facilitate the local and national marketing of this product.

During the meetings organised on Monday in Erfoud and presided over by the Wali of the Drâa-Tafilalet region and governor of the province of Errachidia, Mohamed Benribag, the representatives of the external services of the region expressed their determination to ensure the success of this 9th edition. .

Speaking on this occasion, Benribag stressed that the show, which has become established at the national and international levels, will help boost economic and social activity in the region.

In this context, he noted that this event is an opportunity to highlight the development projects implemented by the municipalities of the region with links to the oases and the date sector, particularly in rural areas, adding that this event requires fostering all necessary conditions to ensure its success.

The previous edition which had more than 80,000 visitors, recorded a strong participation of national and foreign exhibitors and the sale of 400 tons of dates during the days of the show, for its part, said the representative of the National Agency for the development of the oasis zones and the argan tree, Ali Ouberhou.

On this occasion, he outlined the program of the 2018 edition, including the organisation of several meetings with professionals and visitors, visits to the palm groves of Tafilalet, and information and consultation workshops with local people. professionals, as well as the setting up of stands of different national and foreign actors and artistic evenings and tourist and cultural visits.

This exhibition will also be marked by the establishment of a thematic stand for "young people in the oases", the organisation of scientific meetings dedicated to discuss the issues related to the date market in Morocco and ways to market them, with the participation of national and international experts and representatives of the sectors concerned.

Fez University to get Green Campus

The European Union (EU), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez (EMU) have signed a financing agreement to support the construction of the university's eco-campus. The cost of the work amounts to 13 million euros and should be delivered by 2020.

The Green Campus of the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez will take on a new face in the coming months. Thirteen million euros will be made available to rebuild and re-equip its ecological campus. The decision follows a financing agreement signed on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 during a ceremony chaired by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Mohamed Benchaaboun. It is part of the Neighbourhood Investment Facility (NIF) mechanism.

The main aim is to support the university, whose training is mainly focused on green economy jobs. The funding will enable the university to benefit from educational and research facilities, sports areas and a bookshop. The eco-campus will be open to 6,000 students from more than 18 nationalities and people with reduced mobility will be favoured. The project is expected to be completed in 2019-2020.

EU ambassador to Morocco Claudia Wiedey said: “we hope that several students from all horizons (Mediterranean, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe) will benefit and graduate from the Euromed University, imbued with the values of tolerance between peoples, enriched by the virtues of interculturality and equipped with the most useful skills for the local and international labor market”.

EIB Representative in Morocco Anna Barone said: “we are pleased to be able to contribute again, thanks to EU funds, to the development of the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez, which plays an essential role in the field of higher education and research in Morocco”.

The university’s “intercultural vocation and willingness to partner with other academic institutions in the Mediterranean make it a key academic player in the region”, added the European bank representative.

The Euromed University of Fes is a new regional center of excellence promoting dialogue, intercultural exchange, sharing of knowledge and cooperation in the fields of higher education, research and innovation.

This is not the first funding that the University of Fez has received. In 2017, the EIB had already granted it a loan of EUR 70 million and the EU later provided it with EUR 5 million. The eco-campus is among the few in the world that respects international standards and the requirements of sustainable development.

The Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez was established in November 2012. It aims “to promote exchanges, intercultural dialogue and academic and cultural partnerships in the Euro-Mediterranean region as well as high-level training and research.” Its campus is considered green because the infrastructure is environmentally friendly and focuses on renewable energy.

Luchelle Feukeng



CATEGORIES
EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION & TRAINING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
TAGS
EIBEMUEUMOROCCO
COUNTRIES
AFRICAMOROCCO

SHARE THIS!

The "Sound and Light of Fez" to Return

After many years of absence the "Sound and Light of Fez", an initiative dedicated to the revival of the tourist animation of the city is back. A convention was concluded in this direction during the October session of the Fez Commune. The show will be funded up to 2 million DH jointly by the Council of the Region (1.5 million DH) and the Commune (500,000 DH).

The Commune of Fes undertakes to make available to the Foundation "Spirit of Fez" all buildings and equipment existing within the structure 'Sound and Light of Fez', in order to exploit them and allow it to start its activities.

The original son et lumière was held in the evenings in a small amphitheatre in Borj Sud. Borj Sud «the Southern tower» was built by the Saadian Sultan Ahmed Al Mansour Addahbi (the golden) in a period of time ranging between 1587 and 1609 by Portuguese prisoners in order to improve the defence of the Medina and to intimidate the local Fassi population.

The southern fort is located face en face with the northern tower, the two towers are said to be linked with an underground tunnel used by soldiers and guards to cross the Medina quickly and freely with their horses, but nowadays this tunnel is closed. Some people think that the tunnel has never existed - hopefully, time will tell.

The tower offers a panoramic view over the Old Medina and its environs, and that is why it hosted the original sound and light of Fez show.

SHARE THIS!

Fes hosts the 3rd edition of National Women's Day

Fes hosts the 3rd edition of the national day of women at the Siham Abbad complex aqualibi.

The event is an opportunity to evaluate the progress of the situation of women by NGOs, by the media by any institution whose mission is the fight for the rights of women in Morocco

Fes is honoured to receive this flagship event between 10 -12 October 2018

Themes of the event will include craftsmanship, well being, companies, art, culture and design.


SHARE THIS!

Street Art in Oujda

An exhibition of giant mural frescoes called "kharbachat"was inaugurated in Oujda last Friday. The works is the initiative of an association for culture and development, the Collective Tzouri. "Tzouri" is an expression in the Amazigh language which means "beauty"

Carried out in the heart of the old medina, these works include a portrait of an elderly man and paintings depicting large bird wings, the aim being to preserve the intangible heritage and bring people closer to contemporary art. and modern.

"By working in consultation with the locals, we took the initiative to beautify alleys of the old medina through canvases inspired by local traditions and culture," Mohamed Momo, president of Collectif Tzouri. 

Street art allows young people to unleash their creativity and give life and color to the walls, Mohamed Momo said, noting that the association has already undertaken similar initiatives on the painting of pedestrian crossings in the city centre of Oujda, which have become a true work of art, with the aim of raising the awareness of pedestrians and motorists alike about road safety.

The result of a collaboration with the Moulay Slimane Foundation of Oujda, this exhibition shows a multitude of paintings in shimmering colours allowing people to enjoy the beauty and the expressive dimension of the murals. Created in 2016 the Collectif Tzouri is interested in music, audio-visual and visual arts.

SHARE THIS!

Moroccan Daylight Saving Ends Sunday 28th

Daylight saving ends at 3:00 AM on Sunday, October 28

Sunday, 28 October 2018, 03:00:00 clocks are turned backward 1 hour to Sunday, 28 October 2018, 02:00:00 local standard time instead.

SHARE THIS!