فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
In a shocking and deeply concerning scene, the polluted water channels in Zouagha Al-Oula neighborhood and Al-Anbara district in Fez have turned into alternative “swimming pools” for children, amid the continued closure of public pools in the city and the scarcity of recreational facilities available to residents.
The circulated images reveal a real tragedy faced by families in the new neighborhoods of Zouagha Al-Oula and Al-Anbara, where children are forced to swim in contaminated water accumulating in concrete channels, seeking relief and entertainment from the intense summer heat.
This tragic situation exposes children to serious health risks, as these waters contain pollutants and bacteria that may cause severe skin infections and various contagious diseases.
Local residents have urgently appealed to the President of Fez Municipality and the President of Zouagha District Council, condemning this disgraceful situation that forces children in popular neighborhoods to risk their health and safety.
The citizens emphasized that this painful scene recurs daily due to the lack of safe and suitable recreational alternatives for children, especially with the continued closure of the few public pools available in the city.
The closure of public pools in Fez is one of the main reasons behind this environmental and health disaster. While the city experiences soaring temperatures during summer, water recreational facilities remain closed or scarce, pushing children to seek dangerous alternatives.
This situation reveals a clear flaw in urban planning and a lack of strategic vision to provide essential recreational facilities for residents, particularly in underprivileged neighborhoods.
Experts warn of the severe health hazards children face from swimming in these polluted waters, which may include:
- Severe skin infections
- Bacterial and viral infections
- Digestive system diseases
- Eye and ear infections
- Risk of drowning due to lack of supervision
Residents and civil society demand immediate action from local authorities to end this tragedy by:
- Reopening and regularly operating public pools
- Establishing new recreational facilities in underserved neighborhoods
- Cleaning and disinfecting polluted water channels
- Providing safe water entertainment alternatives during summer
- Intensifying monitoring to prevent children from swimming in dangerous areas
Addressing this crisis requires the combined efforts of local authorities, civil society, and families to find practical and swift solutions that ensure children’s safety and provide a healthy, secure environment for recreation.
It also calls for revisiting local policies related to recreational facilities and prioritizing these services within local development agendas.
Images of children swimming in polluted waters stand as a stark witness to a painful reality demanding urgent intervention and radical solutions. The right of children to a healthy and safe environment for play and recreation is not a luxury but a fundamental right that local authorities must guarantee for all citizens without discrimination.
