In a devastating turn of events, Morocco is reeling from a catastrophic earthquake that has claimed the lives of over 2,000 people and left an equal number injured. The Interior Ministry has reported that more than 1,400 individuals have suffered severe injuries, with the hardest-hit regions located just south of the vibrant city of Marrakesh.
In response to this unprecedented disaster, King Mohammed VI has declared three days of national mourning and has issued directives for the immediate provision of shelter, food, and aid to survivors. With many people forced to spend a second night exposed to the elements, the situation remains dire.
The powerful earthquake, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, struck Marrakesh and its surrounding towns on a fateful Friday night. In remote mountain areas, entire villages have been flattened by the devastating tremors. The epicenter of the quake was located in the High Atlas Mountains, 71 kilometers (44 miles) southwest of Marrakesh, a UNESCO World Heritage site popular among tourists. However, the tremors were felt as far away as Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, and Essaouira.
According to the Interior Ministry, Al Haouz province has borne the highest death toll, followed by Taroudant province. While there are fewer casualties in Marrakesh, the historic old city, also protected by UNESCO, has suffered significant damage.
The true extent of devastation in remote areas, particularly in villages with simple mud brick, stone, and timber homes, is yet to be determined. BBC reporter Nick Beake, who visited one such village, reported the heart-wrenching scene of an elderly woman mourning as 18 bodies were recovered in one place. Many residents have resorted to camping out due to fears of aftershocks and a severe shortage of food and water. Emergency services are facing immense challenges accessing these remote areas due to obstructed mountain roads.
To honor the lives lost, the royal palace has ordered that flags be flown at half-mast on all public buildings across the country for the next three days. The king has also mobilized the armed forces to support rescue teams, while the nation rallies together with blood donations as part of a collective effort to aid the victims.
This earthquake marks the deadliest in Morocco since the devastating 1960 Agadir earthquake, which claimed over 12,000 lives. Moreover, it is the most powerful earthquake to strike the nation in over a century.
In a display of international solidarity, the United Nations and several countries, including Spain, France, and Israel, have pledged assistance to Morocco’s rescue efforts. Even neighboring Algeria, with recent strained relations, has opened its airspace for humanitarian flights to support Morocco in this time of crisis.
The catastrophe struck many families in the dead of night, leaving communities shattered and desperately seeking help. Montasir Itri, a resident of the mountain village of Asni near the epicenter, described the heroic efforts of villagers to rescue those trapped under rubble.
Houda Outassaf, who was in Marrakesh’s Jemaa el-Fna Square when the ground shook, shared his heartbreaking experience of losing family members in the disaster.
Amidst the chaos, a mosque minaret collapsed in Jemaa el-Fna Square, and the city’s historic Medina area was strewn with debris, painting a grim picture of the aftermath of this tragic earthquake.
Credit: BBC
