Iran sends condolences to Morocco over minaret collapse

In a condolence message sent to Moroccan authorities on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast expressed sympathy with the bereaved families of those killed in the incident on Friday.

At least 41 people were killed and 80 more injured after the minaret of the Lalla Khenata Mosque in the Bab al-Baradeen neighborhood of Meknes —: a town located 130 km (81 miles) southeast of Rabat — collapsed during Friday prayers, burying most of the 300 worshippers gathered there.

The disaster was the worst building collapse ever in the North African kingdom, whose cities and towns have old quarters with edifices dating back several centuries.

Much of the Lalla Khenata mosque was made of adobe, a sun-dried brick of earth and straw. Its towering minaret was one of the landmarks of Meknes.

Moroccan Interior Ministry officials said the incident occurred due to heavy rain that weakened the minaret.

Morocco has suffered weeks of heavy rain, causing flooding that had already claimed several lives, cut off roads, and destroyed crops in both the north and south of the country.

/Press TV/