Moroccan youth rescues families using jet ski in flood-hit region

KENITRA, MOROCCO - FEB. 12: A 29-year-old Moroccan man, Sufyan Ahizun, used a jet ski to help rescue families stranded by flooding in northern Morocco in late January, after heavy rains hit several provinces, prompting mass evacuations and large-scale search and rescue operations involving security forces and civil authorities.Since Jan. 28, intense rainfall has caused flooding in the northwestern cities of Larache, Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane, Kenitra and Ksar el-Kebir. Rising water levels at dams and rivers, including the Oued el-Makhazine Dam, raised concerns about urban inundation and damage to agricultural land.Authorities ordered evacuations in affected areas to prevent further harm as floodwaters exceeded the capacity of drainage and water networks.The armed forces, police, civil defense units and local authorities took part in rescue operations, deploying military vehicles, helicopters, speedboats and drones.Morocco’s Interior Ministry said more than 154,000 people were evacuated from four flood-hit regions in the north between Jan. 28 and Feb. 6.Ahizun said he traveled about 150 kilometers from the city of Kenitra to Ksar el-Kebir province after seeing images of the disaster on social media.After contacting families in the town of Dar al-Kidar, located in the center of the affected area, he began rescue efforts using his jet ski.He said he rescued numerous families from Dar al-Kidar and later received additional requests for help through social media.Ahizun noted that the operations were dangerous due to ongoing heavy rainfall in the affected areas and said he injured his foot during the efforts.Despite the injury, he continued volunteering and said he is still responding to calls for assistance. (Footage by Hicham Rachidi /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)