Earthquake in Morocco: Tragedy Shakes the Country.

A devastating 6,8 magnitude earthquake shook the heart of Morocco, a nation marked by its natural beauty and rich history. The city of Marrakech and its surrounding regions were the areas most affected by this natural catastrophe, which resulted in a tragic death toll of more than 1.000 people and left countless people injured and homeless.

As the minutes and hours passed after the earthquake, the number of victims continued to rise. The country's Ministry of the Interior has confirmed the tragic news that in addition to the more than 1.000 dead, around 1.200 people are seriously injured.

The Earthquake

The earthquake was the result of the movement of tectonic plates in a fault zone. The region of Morocco is prone to this type of seismic activity due to its geographic location. The phenomenon is known as a “reverse fault”, where tectonic blocks move upwards over each other.

The epicenter was recorded in the town of Ighil, 63 kilometers southwest of the city of Marrakesh and 116 km below the surface. It was also felt in Portugal, Spain, Mali and Algeria. The 6.8 magnitude earthquake was followed by some smaller aftershocks.

Several cities, including Marrakech, Al Hauz, Ouzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Tarudante, were deeply affected by the earthquake. In Marrakech, historic buildings were destroyed, including part of the famous Jemaa el-Fna Square, which is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Local television showed photos of a mosque minaret fallen among the rubble and crushed cars and there are records of several Moroccan historical monuments having been affected, such as the Koutoubia mosque, built in the XNUMXth century in Marrakesh.

Marrakesh, nicknamed the “Ocher City” and known as an important tourist destination, was one of the hardest hit areas. The city, with its historic Medina, has faced significant damage and rescue operations are proving challenging due to the complexity of the affected structures.

Desperate Rescues

The Moroccan population was taken by surprise by the earthquake and many people reported moments of panic and disbelief. The devastation has affected countless families, leaving them in grief and shock.

Amid the chaos, heroic rescue efforts were launched to save those trapped under the rubble. Rescue teams face significant challenges in reaching the most remote and mountainous areas where victims are trapped. Every life is precious and first responders work tirelessly.

After the initial earthquake, several aftershocks were recorded, keeping the population on alert. Search, relief and rescue operations are underway across the affected regions with the hope of finding survivors and alleviating the suffering of victims.

The latest official balance points to at least 1.037 deaths and 1.204 injuries, including 721 in serious condition, the Ministry of the Interior said early this Saturday afternoon.

To meet the needs of the injured, the Moroccan Blood Transfusion and Hematology Center appealed to the population to donate blood. The solidarity of citizens is essential for the treatment of the injured.

International Reactions

Political leaders from around the world expressed their solidarity and willingness to help.

Pope Francis expressed this Saturday morning his “deep solidarity” with the Moroccan people, “hit in the flesh and in the heart by this tragedy“, reads a telegram sent to Morocco by the Vatican Secretary of State and number of the Catholic Church, Pietron Parolin.

In New Delhi, the prime minister of India, host this weekend of a G20 summit where Africa could play a central role, has already expressed condolences for the victims of this earthquake in Morocco. The head of Government also said that:

“A India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco at this difficult time".

The Chancellor of Germany was one of the first to lament the Moroccan tragedy.

“Terrible news from Morocco. In these difficult times, our thoughts are with the victims of this devastating earthquake.”

“Our solidarity goes out to everyone affected by this natural disaster.”

Olaf Scholz wrote, on the social network X, from New Delhi, where he is participating this weekend at the G20 summit.

“All my solidarity and support for the people of Morocco in the face of the terrible earthquake recorded this morning”.

“Spain stands with the victims of this tragedy and their families.”

Wrote the interim leader of the Spanish government, which has maintained a tense relationship with Morocco.

The President of the United States showed himself “deeply saddened” for the lives lost and the devastation recorded in Morocco.

“In Russia, we share the pain and mourning of the Moroccan people. We offer our sincere condolences for the tragic consequences of the devastating earthquake,” wrote Vladimir Putin.

The President of China, Xi Jinping, also came out “shocked” for what happened in Morocco and, “on behalf of the Chinese government and people“, he expressed “deep sorrow for the victims” and addressed “sincere condolences to the families".

Historic Earthquake

Morocco has experienced devastating earthquakes in the past, including one in 2004. 19 years ago, an earthquake hit the city of Al Hoceima in northeastern Morocco and killed 628 people.

But the most notorious was the Agadir earthquake in 1960. At that time, the city was practically destroyed, resulting in more than 15.000 deaths. To this day, this earthquake remains the deadliest in the history of Morocco.

These numbers give an indication of the scale of casualties we could see from the earthquake that occurred last Friday.

According to Jonathan Aman, science reporter at BBC News, few earthquakes of magnitude 6,8 were expected this year and not in Morocco. Most of the tectonic activity in this region occurs in the Mediterranean and towards Turkey, which suffered a violent earthquake earlier this year.

national mourning

“It was decided to declare a three-day national mourning with flags at half-mast in all public buildings.”

He indicated a statement from the royal palace released by the official MAP news agency, following a meeting chaired by King Mohammed VI and called to assess the situation on the ground after the earthquake.

Moroccans are now united in a collective feeling of mourning for the victims. This national mourning is not just a symbolic act, it is also a way of expressing solidarity and support for the affected communities.

While national mourning continues, the people of Morocco remain united in their determination to overcome this calamity. The nation remains united, seeking to find strength in mourning, to help each other, honor those lost and begin the process of reconstruction.

Conclusion

This 6,8 magnitude earthquake that struck Morocco did not just shake the ground, it also deeply shook the hearts of its inhabitants and the international community. The Moroccan government's quick response, by declaring a three-day national mourning, reflects the solidarity of the Moroccan people in the face of an unprecedented tragedy.

As the country faces considerable challenges in recovering and rebuilding the affected areas, the strength of the Moroccan spirit remains a central element in this journey towards recovery.

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Picture: © DR