Tragedy struck as a segment of the ancient walls encircling the Old City of Kairouan in Tunisia collapsed on Saturday, claiming the lives of three stonemasons.
Officials reported that a 30-meter section of the wall, near the Gate of the Floggers, crumbled, resulting in the fatalities. Additionally, two individuals sustained injuries, suffering fractures in the incident.
An investigation has been initiated into the collapse, with authorities considering the possibility of recent heavy rainfall as a contributing factor.
Moez Tria, a spokesperson for the Civil Protection Department, mentioned that a restricted area has been established to prevent individuals from accessing the section of the wall, which remains at risk of further collapse.
Kairouan, established in 670 AD, holds immense historical significance as one of North Africa’s revered cities. Once the center of the Muslim world in North Africa for four centuries, it relinquished its status as Tunisia’s political capital in the 12th century when Tunis was designated as the capital.
Acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, Kairouan boasts the Mosque of the Three Doors, recognized as the oldest mosque featuring a sculpted facade.
Unesco describes the mosque as “an architectural masterpiece that served as a model for several other Maghreban mosques”.
