Thousands rally in protest of death of miners in eastern Morocco

RABAT, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of people protested in the Moroccan eastern city of Jerada in what they called "Friday of anger" over the death of two young men in a coal mine accident.

Last Friday, two brothers died while they were digging in an abandoned mine 80 meters below ground, sparking the fury of residents over what they view as state neglect.

An investigation has been launched into the accident, but the tension is still running high in the city.

In addition to a general strike, thousands of residents in Jerada as well as people from neighboring towns marched in the main streets of the city, demanding justice for the dead as well as more job opportunities.

The protest has continued throughout the week since last Friday.

The Moroccan Alyaoum24.com news site said local authorities have been in contact with representatives of the residents.

Jerada is a city largely dependent on coal mining.

The city had been growing on the back of flourishing mining activities since 1920s, but it suffered a major blow in late 1990s after state-owned coal mines that employed thousands of local people were forced to close down due to rising digging costs and declining coal prices.

However, many local residents have continued illegal mining in the abandoned mines.

Up to 3,000 people dig clandestinely in the city's coal mines, extracting hundreds of tons of coal every day, according to local media reports. Enditem