![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MKEKUDBFKZFSZNCP2W7ZQY2XLA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1223581a7c4773d9a95a5d1e36865f141dd747271d035acd281aedb9393697ff&width=400&height=225)
Much of the town, recently so picturesque, is now in ruins
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SAODAKTVKRFTVOGSBM55I6F66Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=b16bf5df0ac046af5aa676ae6df86095c5f4bd65e74cdcf2bfae8701e5ed816d&width=400&height=225)
Bulldozing in the surfing town of Imsouane, Morocco, where some residents were given only a day's notice to leave their homes. All photos: Nick Pescetto for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/43DD7CDIWJEJ5JRQZ7CCPKGFFY.jpg?smart=true&auth=5bf87c345768721a46335a561d694f3bdb3d51d7749710bf4c77544dc95f7bea&width=400&height=225)
They were given little explanation, other than that the properties were technically illegal because they were unlicensed, despite many lived in their homes for decades
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JH6G6YITLNANZN3WHVXDKVNCPA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5bf669d5d31877541f093b4d9dd7b08fdd90bfb2c68697b16c7875c9a8c6d742&width=400&height=225)
Magic Bay in Imsouane, a town where surfing and fishing are popular, offers a glimpse of the area's beauty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2VOVBMV4HBAUTDNFMNJ3DT4HBU.jpg?smart=true&auth=9d04c8be1517a0490509fa71bf6ee2a2bcb0a76d4f27b8fa3dfb4def74514b4b&width=400&height=225)
Graffiti highlights the beauty of Imsouane before the bulldozers moved in
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NDGRWWM3X5E7BAZIIIEVFHFNCY.jpg?smart=true&auth=796503974938b82b3a77ddd46acadce551f5c35314c07ead6e8644a69bc8c72b&width=400&height=225)
Residents wanted the cultural fabric of the town to be protected
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BSY5HUKLDNCRJEFNORTX4RRK34.jpg?smart=true&auth=fdd37a4a6491f24ddf43c2ac693bc864cffc6873fa3ff116af3871d51cb0609a&width=400&height=225)
Some now head for the shore to seek solace amid the destruction
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RHV6AHVKCFEMLDPQRTBPMV2A64.jpg?smart=true&auth=98fdba070e3317e6fe2693824088853b97d7b1966e50d1e3c761cc600cbfe4dd&width=400&height=225)
But some Imsouane residents were left homeless
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MKEKUDBFKZFSZNCP2W7ZQY2XLA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1223581a7c4773d9a95a5d1e36865f141dd747271d035acd281aedb9393697ff&width=400&height=225)
Much of the town, recently so picturesque, is now in ruins
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SAODAKTVKRFTVOGSBM55I6F66Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=b16bf5df0ac046af5aa676ae6df86095c5f4bd65e74cdcf2bfae8701e5ed816d&width=400&height=225)
Bulldozing in the surfing town of Imsouane, Morocco, where some residents were given only a day's notice to leave their homes. All photos: Nick Pescetto for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/43DD7CDIWJEJ5JRQZ7CCPKGFFY.jpg?smart=true&auth=5bf87c345768721a46335a561d694f3bdb3d51d7749710bf4c77544dc95f7bea&width=400&height=225)
They were given little explanation, other than that the properties were technically illegal because they were unlicensed, despite many lived in their homes for decades
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JH6G6YITLNANZN3WHVXDKVNCPA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5bf669d5d31877541f093b4d9dd7b08fdd90bfb2c68697b16c7875c9a8c6d742&width=400&height=225)
Magic Bay in Imsouane, a town where surfing and fishing are popular, offers a glimpse of the area's beauty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2VOVBMV4HBAUTDNFMNJ3DT4HBU.jpg?smart=true&auth=9d04c8be1517a0490509fa71bf6ee2a2bcb0a76d4f27b8fa3dfb4def74514b4b&width=400&height=225)
Graffiti highlights the beauty of Imsouane before the bulldozers moved in
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NDGRWWM3X5E7BAZIIIEVFHFNCY.jpg?smart=true&auth=796503974938b82b3a77ddd46acadce551f5c35314c07ead6e8644a69bc8c72b&width=400&height=225)
Residents wanted the cultural fabric of the town to be protected
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BSY5HUKLDNCRJEFNORTX4RRK34.jpg?smart=true&auth=fdd37a4a6491f24ddf43c2ac693bc864cffc6873fa3ff116af3871d51cb0609a&width=400&height=225)
Some now head for the shore to seek solace amid the destruction
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RHV6AHVKCFEMLDPQRTBPMV2A64.jpg?smart=true&auth=98fdba070e3317e6fe2693824088853b97d7b1966e50d1e3c761cc600cbfe4dd&width=400&height=225)
But some Imsouane residents were left homeless
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MKEKUDBFKZFSZNCP2W7ZQY2XLA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1223581a7c4773d9a95a5d1e36865f141dd747271d035acd281aedb9393697ff&width=400&height=225)
Much of the town, recently so picturesque, is now in ruins
Twenty-four hours to get out - why is Morocco flattening its surfers' paradise?
The waves of Imsouane are a global draw, the resort a hippie haven - but then came the bulldozers
Jade Bremner
Imsouane, Morocco
09 February, 2024
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