The minister, Hisham Chkiouat, accused the media of hampering the work of rescue teams in the wake of last week's floods.

On Monday, demonstrators set fire to the home of the ousted mayor.

Many residents say the disaster - caused when two dams collapsed during torrential rains - could have been prevented.

Officials have acknowledged that a contract to repair the dams was never completed.

Estimates of the numbers killed varies widely but the World Health Organization has confirmed the death of more than 3,900 people. Thousands more are missing.