On the morning of Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the city of Casablanca was shaken by a tragic incident that claimed the lives of two young women, later identified as soccer players.
The victims were Razan Wahda, a player for the Fath Sidi Bennour team, and Fatiha Shiboub, a player for the Wifaq Salmi team. The incident occurred in the Larmitage area of the Al-Raja neighborhood, where a train ran over the two young women while they were on the railway tracks, resulting in their immediate deaths under circumstances described as horrific and shocking.
According to the initial account provided by eyewitnesses and the train driver, the driver attempted to brake forcefully upon seeing two individuals embracing each other for a final moment on the tracks, but the short distance prevented the avoidance of the disaster.
Media reports indicated that the bodies were transferred to Ibn Rushd Hospital in Casablanca for an autopsy, while security authorities opened a judicial investigation to determine the precise circumstances of the incident, under the supervision of the public prosecutor’s office.
Background of the victims and shock in sports circles
Razan Wahda (often referred to as “Razan”) was a promising player for the Fath Sidi Bennour team. As for Fatiha Shiboub, she was a member of the Wifaq Salmi team, and both were in their youth, not exceeding their twenties. According to social media posts, the two young women were close friends, participating in joint training and matches, making their loss a harsh blow.
The incident left a significant shock within the sports community, with condolences pouring in from the players’ teammates and their clubs. Sports associations and media pages expressed their deep sorrow, along with calls for patience and solace for the families of the victims.
The incident also sparked discussions about railway safety in residential areas, particularly in neighborhoods like Al-Raja, which experience heavy traffic.
Rumors spreading in the absence of official information
In the absence of any official statement from the relevant authorities so far, widespread rumors have circulated on social media platforms such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). The initial account relayed by the train driver about “a young man and a young woman embracing each other” contributed to rumors suggesting that the incident was a “joint suicide” due to a forbidden romantic relationship or personal problems.
Other circulating rumors include:
- The romantic narrative: Some users on X claim that the young women were facing family or social pressures related to their personal lives, leading to a joint suicidal decision. One post that received significant interaction states: “Some love kills.. a young man and woman were hit by a train during a final embrace.”
- Identity error: Initially, news of a “young man and woman” spread, but verification revealed that they were two young women, raising doubts about the accuracy of the initial testimonies and leading to rumors of a “cover-up” of the truth.
- Suicide or accidental incident?: Some posts suggest that the young women were crossing the tracks without paying attention, while others insist that the situation (the embrace) indicates an intentional act. Calls to await official investigations to avoid rumors spread as well, with warnings about their impact on the victims’ families.
