Rachel Barnes, whose husband Anthony Barnes died while staying at the Jaal Ryad Resort Hotel in Morocco on 22 March 2023, has launched legal proceedings in the High Court in London.

She is bringing the claim on behalf of her husband’s estate and their two children. Mrs Barnes is represented by Chris Deacon, a partner in the International Injury team at Stewarts, who has been supporting the family’s efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the fatal fire and pursue a civil claim for damages.

 

Fatal fire at luxury Moroccan resort

Anthony Barnes, aged 48, was staying at the five-star hotel as part of a work trip with colleagues. The trip, organised via Booking.com, was due to last two nights. On the day of his arrival, between approximately 3pm and 4pm local time, a fire broke out in the hotel’s basement spa area while Mr Barnes was receiving a massage.

Witness testimony confirmed that a sudden explosion was heard, followed by the rapid spread of smoke. Hotel staff attempted to extinguish the fire and evacuate guests, but were hindered by dense smoke and limited visibility. Emergency services also responded, but despite their efforts, Mr Barnes and a hotel employee lost their lives.

 

Legal action

A criminal prosecution in Morocco against the hotel’s general manager resulted in a three-month suspended custodial sentence, although it is understood this is subject to an appeal.

The coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough concluded an inquest into Mr Barnes’ death in October 2025, recording the medical cause of his death as smoke inhalation with a secondary factor of coronary atherosclerosis.

The coroner noted: “On 22 March 2023, Anthony Barnes was a guest at the Jaal Ryad Resort in Marrakech, Morocco, when he became trapped in a fire at the spa building of the hotel. The area in which he was located became filled with thick, acrid smoke, which affected visibility and hindered attempts to rescue him. He was extricated by firefighters and pronounced deceased that evening at the resort.”

Mrs Barnes has now launched a High Court claim against Hotel Les Idrissides, trading as Jaal Ryad.

Mrs Barnes said:

“It is almost three years since I lost my husband, Anthony, and our children lost their doting, dedicated and hardworking father. This has been, and continues to be, a difficult time for us all, compounded by the hotel now seeking to deny liability and withdraw what I had understood to be an unequivocal acceptance of its responsibility for what happened to Anthony, made before we started court proceedings.

“The inquest has provided some answers, but I am still at a loss as to what caused the fire and why my 6ft 2in fit and healthy husband could not escape. The children ask me why their dad died. Obviously, he died due to smoke inhalation, but I guess the picture is still not clear. The contact and support from officials in Morocco and the UK have been very limited, and I have had to instruct lawyers to find answers and hold the hotel to account. This process is ongoing, and I hope it will eventually bring me and our boys closure.”

Chris Deacon added:

“Following the hotel’s defence to the High Court proceedings, my client is now facing the prospect of a fight on liability as the hotel attempts to renege on what was understood to be an admission of liability made pre-proceedings. This is the source of considerable distress for Mrs Barnes and her family.

“My client acknowledges the diligent efforts made by the coroner in trying to establish the facts surrounding Anthony’s death, in hugely challenging circumstances and with little to no cooperation from the authorities in Morocco. We are still seeking the written verdict of the Moroccan court following a criminal trial last year. Importantly, lessons must be learned and safety improvements made, so that no one’s life is endangered in this way again.”

 

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