Civil Protection services have deployed over 10,000 personnel and significant resources to secure the 2026 summer season, according to Captain Ben Amzal Zouhir. Captain Zouhir, Head of the Information and Awareness Office at the Directorate General of Civil Protection, stated that these efforts are aimed at enhancing safety during the summer period. "Civil Protection services have deployed over 10,000 personnel and considerable human and material resources to secure the 2026 summer season, with continued efforts to strengthen prevention of drowning, traffic accidents, and forest fires," Captain Zouhir said. The deployment focuses on reinforcing prevention measures against drowning, traffic accidents, and forest fires across the country.
Beach Safety and Drowning Statistics
The summer season involves securing 470 beaches permitted for swimming out of 657 national beaches, according to Captain Ben Amzal Zouhir, Head of the Information and Awareness Office at the Directorate General of Civil Protection. Captain Zouhir noted that 187 beaches are prohibited for swimming due to a lack of safety conditions, distributed across 124 coastal municipalities. "The summer season includes securing 470 beaches permitted for swimming out of 657 national beaches, compared to 187 beaches prohibited for swimming due to lack of safety conditions, distributed across 124 coastal municipalities," Captain Zouhir stated.
Civil Protection services have recorded 40 drowning deaths in water bodies since April 21. Captain Zouhir added, "Since April 21, Civil Protection services have recorded 40 drowning deaths in water bodies, most of the victims being children and adolescents." Since the official start of the summer season on June 1, 34 drowning deaths have been recorded. Of these 34 deaths, 22 occurred on beaches prohibited for swimming, while 12 took place on supervised beaches. Four of these fatalities occurred outside the designated supervision hours of 9 AM to 7 PM. Civil Protection services have rescued 6,702 people from certain drowning since the beginning of the summer season.
Personnel and Resource Deployment
Civil Protection has mobilized 10,724 personnel for summer safety operations. Captain Ben Amzal Zouhir, Head of the Information and Awareness Office at the Directorate General of Civil Protection, confirmed this deployment, stating, "Civil Protection has mobilized 10,724 personnel for this task, including 1,009 professional personnel, 9,200 seasonal beach guards, 416 divers, and 30 doctors, in addition to fast inflatable boats, jet skis, and various intervention equipment." The personnel complement includes 1,009 professional staff, 9,200 seasonal beach guards, 416 divers, and 30 medical doctors. Air support for these operations involves 12 firefighting aircraft, which receive assistance from the People's National Army.
Broader Safety Concerns
Beyond beach safety, Civil Protection services are also addressing other significant risks. Over 800 deaths have been recorded in road accidents since the beginning of the year, according to Captain Ben Amzal Zouhir, Head of the Information and Awareness Office at the Directorate General of Civil Protection. Captain Zouhir stated, "Over 800 deaths have been recorded in road accidents since the beginning of the year, with an expected increase in the toll during July and August due to heavy traffic."
The operational apparatus remains on high alert for forest fires. Captain Zouhir confirmed, "The operational apparatus is on high alert, with mobile convoys deployed across forested regions, and specialized regional detachments activated for combating forest fires, in addition to air support with 12 firefighting aircraft and the support of the People's National Army." This deployment includes mobile convoys in forested areas and activation of specialized regional detachments to combat blazes.
