Casablanca residents complain of foul odors near Port, authorities launch investigation

Residents of Casablanca’s Old Medina have complained of strong foul odors affecting their neighborhoods, particularly areas near the city’s port, prompting local authorities to investigate their source.

Several residents have called for urgent action to identify and eliminate the odors, which they say have become increasingly disruptive.

According to affected residents, the smell is coming from the port and may be linked to livestock imported from Latin American countries. The animals reportedly remain aboard ships for extended periods before being unloaded and transported to their destinations.

In response to the complaints, the Casablanca-Settat regional authorities have launched field investigations, following instructions from Governor Mohamed Mhidia and in coordination with the National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA), to determine the nature and source of the odors.

Moulay Ahmed Afilal, deputy mayor of Casablanca, told Hespress that the city council had also opened an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the complaints and determine whether the odors were linked to the conditions under which imported livestock is received and kept at the port.

The investigation will also examine the hygiene and health-safety measures in place, he said.

Afilal added that he had visited Casablanca Port to inspect the situation and identify the possible source of the odors.

He did not rule out the possibility that the smell was coming from waste generated by imported calves and other livestock held at the port.

Residents of the Old Medina are calling for the source to be addressed and the odors eliminated, saying they want to live in a clean and healthy environment.