Woman’s body found in Oum Er-Rbia river after couple swept away

The body of a woman who was swept away by the waters of the Oum Er-Rbia River was recovered Thursday, a day after she and her husband were reported missing near a rural community in central Morocco, authorities said.

The couple had disappeared Wednesday afternoon near the Douar Ahl Sous area in the commune of Bradia.

According to local information, the woman’s body was found caught in vegetation along the riverbank near Douar Al Manzil, some distance from where the incident occurred. Civil protection teams had been conducting continuous search operations, supported by Royal Gendarmerie officers, local authorities and residents.

The body was transferred to the provincial hospital morgue to complete the necessary legal procedures under the supervision of competent authorities.

Search operations were still underway Thursday to locate the missing husband, as rescue teams continued efforts under difficult conditions. The incident has left the local community in a state of shock and mourning.

In response to the tragedy, the Fquih Ben Salah branch of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights issued a statement offering condolences to the victims’ family and calling for an urgent and impartial investigation to determine responsibility.

The group raised concerns about what it described as a lack of prior warning to residents regarding a possible dam water release or rising water levels. It urged authorities to adopt a strict communication protocol to inform citizens in advance of any changes that could pose risks, and to strengthen safety measures in areas near waterways.

The association also questioned whether safety and preventive management standards related to water infrastructure and irrigation channels had been properly observed. It called for an urgent provincial plan to prevent similar incidents and ensure protection of the right to life and physical safety.