In Amzrou, near Zagora, a heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded on the morning of Sunday, July 27, 2025, as a 7-year-old child was swept away by the waters of the Draa River. The loss has plunged his family and the entire local community into profound grief. According to media reports drawing from local sources, the child was accompanying his mother near a bridge along the riverbank when he suddenly vanished from her sight. She promptly alerted the authorities, who swiftly arrived at the scene. Tragically, the child's body was recovered and taken to the morgue at the regional hospital in Zagora. An investigation is now underway, overseen by the public prosecutor, to uncover the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking event. This incident has reignited long-standing concerns within the community about the recurring drownings in the Draa River, particularly affecting children and teenagers during the summer months. Just a day prior, a young man in his twenties lost his life to the river in the neighboring municipality of M'Zeguida. In response, local civil society groups have issued urgent calls for action, pressing municipal and regional authorities, especially local councils and the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, to offer safe recreational alternatives. Their proposals include the establishment of public swimming pools that are either free or available at nominal fees, particularly in areas close to the river. These groups have described the situation as a «recurring disaster», stressing that the intense summer heat drives children to seek relief in the river's waters. They are advocating for awareness campaigns targeting families and students to highlight the dangers of swimming in unsafe areas, and are urging authorities to install clear warning signs at known danger spots where similar incidents frequently occur.
