Three killed inTunisia UNESCO World Heritage Site Collapses

In a devastating incident, a section of the ancient walls surrounding the Old City of Kairouan in central Tunisia collapsed, resulting in the tragic death of three masons who were involved in restoration work on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Two additional workers sustained injuries during the accident, which occurred near the Gate of the Leather Workers, where a 30-meter-long portion of the six-meter-high walls crumbled, as reported by Tunisia’s Civil Protection department.

The restoration work was part of ongoing efforts to preserve the historic walls of the Kairouan medina, a three-kilometer-long structure that encapsulates the Old City. According to department spokesman Moez Tria, the incident may be linked to heavy rainfall in the region over the past few days.

“A team was carrying out restoration work on the three-kilometer-long wall that surrounds the Old City,” Tria stated, highlighting the potential connection to the recent adverse weather conditions.

Records from the Tunisian National Institute of Meteorology indicated that Kairouan experienced one millimeter of rain in the 24 hours leading up to the incident on Saturday.

Kairouan, founded in 670 AD, holds significant historical and cultural importance as one of North Africa’s holiest cities. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, the city thrived under the Aghlabid dynasty in the 9th century, boasting a rich architectural heritage that includes the Great Mosque and the 9th-century Mosque of the Three Gates.

The collapse of a section of the city’s ramparts, which are adorned with four gates, including the Gate of the Leather Workers near the accident site, represents a profound loss to the architectural and cultural legacy of Kairouan.