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RABAT, Tuesday (Reuters) More than 35 people died and several others were missing in flash floods which swept a rich farming area in western Morocco, and areas near the eastern city of Fez, the official MAP news agency said.

The recent heavy rains also caused a fire which broke out on Monday at Morocco's largest oil refinery, operated by Samir SAMI.CS , in the Atlantic coast town of Mohammedia, MAP reported, citing local rescue services.

Heavy rains in the Gharb area of western Morocco caused the usually dry Oued Bengueribi river to burst its banks and flooded villages near the towns of Berrechid, 130 km (80 miles) southwest of Rabat and Settat, some 30 km further south.

MAP, quoting rescue services, said 30 people died in the floods in this area and that eight others were missing.

In Settat, lecture theaters and archives were seriously damaged when parts of a university campus came under floodwater.

Areas around the city of Fez in eastern Morocco, and a shanty-town near Kenitra, north of Rabat, were also badly affected by flooding.

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