RABAT, Sept. 9 -- At least 18 people have been killed and four others remain missing after torrential rains hit southern Morocco, the Interior Ministry said on Monday, updating its previous report of 11 deaths and nine missing.

The fatalities, including three foreigners from Spain, Canada, and Peru, were reported in the provinces of Tata, Errachidia, Tiznit, Tinghir, and Taroudant. The ministry added that the search for the missing is ongoing.

It noted that water supply and telecommunications services disrupted by heavy rainfall and flooding have been fully restored, and 84 of the 110 affected road sections have been reopened to traffic.

Technical teams are still working to restore the damaged electricity network, the ministry said, stressing that necessary resources have been mobilized to handle the exceptional situation and assist citizens in flood-stricken areas.

According to a social media post by the Moroccan meteorological authorities, the deadly rains and floods were caused by "an unstable tropical air mass."

  - Xinhua