Casablanca authorities officially denied a false rumor circulating on social media on Thursday, October 2nd, that prompted panic and an alleged call for people to leave the city at 4 p.m. UTC. The rumor, which caused temporary alarm, has been refuted, with officials stating there is "absolutely nothing" to the claims. The Place Marechal area remains calm and open, according to reports. This denial comes amidst ongoing youth protests in Morocco, which have seen escalating unrest in recent days. While the specific focus of the false evacuation rumor in Casablanca is unclear, it emerged during a period of heightened public tension. Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch had previously expressed openness to dialogue to de-escalate the broader protests. Separately, masked individuals attacked the headquarters of the Royal Gendarmerie in the Qulaya region on Wednesday night, October 1st. A video of the assault circulated on social media, though official details regarding damage, casualties, or the perpetrators' identities have not been released. In a related but distinct legal development, the Council of State in Paris on Thursday defined conditions under which the Prime Minister can temporarily interrupt social media access, following a ruling on TikTok's blockage in New Caledonia in May 2024. This decision provides a legal framework for government actions during exceptional circumstances.
