18-05-2025
Seats Catch Fire in Moulay Abdellah Stadium Amid Renovation Ahead of 2025 AFCON
Rabat — Newly installed seats at the under-renovation Moulay Abdellah Stadium caught fire on Saturday afternoon in the upper section.
As work is undergoing in the stadium ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the blaze destroyed about 250 fifth-generation seats.
However, authorities have reported no injuries among construction workers at the site.
Reports indicate that firefighters battled the flames for three hours before gaining control, as large columns of black smoke rose above the stadium, visible from over ten kilometers away.
The seats, made from a polymer called polypropylene copolymer, fueled the fire's spread and intensity due to their flammable chemical composition.
While no one suffered injuries, the incident raises serious questions about safety measures during construction, particularly regarding roof welding work suspected of starting the fire.
Initial, unconfirmed findings suggest possible safety violations in managing this operation.
The construction company has reportedly started assessing the damage and plans to immediately strengthen safety protocols.
Read also: AFCON 2025: CAF Promises 'Special' Tournament in Morocco
These adjustments will focus on critical construction phases related to the stadium's roof and finishing work, with just months remaining before the planned continental completion.
This incident comes at a challenging time as the North African country is gearing up to host the most prestigious continental competition.
The country has over 120 ongoing construction and renovation projects across six host cities.
Stadium construction and rehabilitation works are currently taking place in the cities of Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Fez, Marrakech, and Agadir.
An April meeting to assess the advancement of these projects concluded that they are reportedly on track to meet completion deadlines and ensure smooth hosting of AFCON 2025.
Morocco is also working on developing other infrastructure to facilitate mobility, including urban initiatives to renovate roads, accessibility, signage, public lighting, pedestrian zones, and green spaces. Tags: AFCON 2025FootballMorocco AFCON 2025Moulay Abdellah Stadium
