At least 15 people were killed and five injured Sunday in a stampede as food aid was distributed near the coastal tourist town of Essaouira in western Morocco, officials said.

The accident happened in the village of Sidi Boualem, around 60 kilometers (35 miles) from Essaouira, in southern Morocco while more than 1,000 people were scrambling for food aid distributed by a benefactor, Moroccan news portal Hespress said.

Forty others lost consciousness due to overcrowding.

All the victims were women, according to the report.

Local media said a "benefactor" had organized the food distribution at a stall in the rural town, which was rapidly "submerged in the crowd" of 800 people, mostly women.

An investigation has begun to "determine the circumstances of the incident" and establish who was responsible, Moroccan authorities said.

The interior ministry said King Mohammed VI had issued orders to "provide the necessary help and support to the families of the victims and the injured."

He also decided to "personally cover the costs of victims' funerals and burials, and the care of the injured," it said.