As temperatures climbed above 43 degrees Celsius this week, dozens of children in Fez sought relief from the heat by swimming in the Aïn Chkef river and in ornamental fountains across the city, renewing calls from residents and community groups to reopen municipal swimming pools.
Le360 observed large numbers of children gathering at the Aïn Chkef river, a seasonal destination for young people from several neighborhoods seeking respite from the summer heat.
Residents say many of the children come from low-income families that cannot afford private swimming pools while municipal facilities remain closed.
Mahjoub Khalifi, a resident of Fez, said the scenes return every summer during periods of extreme heat.
“Most of the children who come here are from nearby working-class neighborhoods, but others travel from more distant districts that have no swimming pools where residents can cool off,” he said.
Although he acknowledged the dangers, Khalifi said many children swim without adult supervision because they have few alternatives.
“With temperatures between 39 and 42 degrees, this is the only option for many of them,” he said.
The scenes are not limited to the Aïn Chkef river. Le360 also documented children cooling off in several ornamental fountains located at public roundabouts across the city.
Community groups call for pools to reopen
Youssef Chekra, a community activist in Fez, said the prolonged closure of several municipal swimming pools, including Hassan II and El Merja, has worsened the situation.
“During this heat, everyone, especially children, needs access to swimming pools, particularly now that schools have closed for the summer,” he said.
He urged the municipal council to reopen the facilities, arguing that demand increases sharply during every heatwave.
Chekra also said the challenge extends beyond the closure of existing pools. Several densely populated districts, including Mérinides, Fez Medina, and Jnane El Ward, have no public swimming pools, limiting access to safe recreational spaces for thousands of children.
Safety concerns
Community groups warn that swimming in rivers and ornamental fountains exposes children to serious risks, including drowning.
The issue has become more pressing following the death of a child last week in the fountain at Jardin Latin, an incident that activists say underscores the need for safer public facilities.
Chekra called on municipal authorities to develop a comprehensive plan that includes reopening public pools, maintaining existing facilities, and working with civil society organizations to improve access for children living in underserved neighborhoods.
As heatwaves become increasingly frequent, residents say expanding safe and affordable public swimming facilities has become not only a recreational issue but also a matter of child safety.
