Flash floods kill 13 in Morocco

Thirteen people have been killed in northern Morocco after their homes collapsed in flash flooding caused by torrential rains.

The interior ministry said 11 were swept away by the floods in Driouch, Nador province, and two in Tangiers.

Around 20 homes have collapsed as a result of the floods and many remain submerged.

Officials in Nador say the rains were the heaviest in the area for more than 20 years.

"The deaths are due to heavy flooding in the wadi of Guerti which swept away 11 people, including a child of two," a spokesman for the local authority in Nador told AFP news agency.

Two more people were reportedly killed in Tangiers when a river burst its banks and submerged over 100 manufacturing plants. The factories - employing up to 30,000 workers - have been shut down.

The interior ministry said rescue teams, including the Morocco army, have been dispatched to the area.