According to confirmed sources at the delegation of the Ministry of Culture in Safi, large parts of a historical cannon originating from Holland have just been looted at the Bastion of the ramparts.

The investigations undertaken by the security services led to the discovery of the disappearance of 100 kg of copper as well as pieces of the said cannon dating from the 16th century.

Concordant sources confirmed to “Libé” that the looting took place in stages, and that the thief had taken the time necessary to perpetrate his crime, which adds to the lot of degradation of the historical heritage of Safi.

The security services point the finger at thieves specialising in copper, but this incident only revives the debate around the dramatic situation of the city's built heritage. We remember the collapse of a large part of the Palace of the Sea (Ksar Lebhar), a victim of maritime erosion, and the passivity and irresponsibility of local decision-makers who did nothing to save this old building, which bears witness to a cultural, architectural, and human heritage.

The human element is always involved in this degradation, because, in addition to the acts of looting, several anarchic constructions have occupied historical sites, the Palace of the Sea in particular, in full view of the local authorities.