Morocco earthquake ‘deadliest’ in years
A general view of damage in the historic city of Marrakech, following a powerful earthquake in Morocco, September 9, 2023. REUTERS/Abdelhak Balhaki
MARRAKECH: A 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Morocco on Friday night, considered to be the “deadliest” in recent years, and claimed the lives of over six hundred people.
According to reports of Morocco’s state-run TV Al Aoula, citing the Interior Ministry, almost 632 people have been reported dead with another 329 injured of which fifty-one are considered critical.
Following reports of the deadly quake, the USGS (United States Geological Survey) has claimed it was the strongest tremor to hit that part of the North African country in over a century. It is worth mentioning that Morocco has not been hit by a disaster on a similar scale since 2004 when it was struck by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in the city of Al Hoceima. At the time, almost 630 people had died alongside widespread damage. Another major earthquake struck Morocco in 1960, in the city of Agadir, in which approximately 12,000 lives were lost.
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On Friday, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake claimed the lives of hundreds of people with the majority of deaths in the Al Haouz province, west of the quake epicenter, and south of Marrakech, a popular tourist city.
According to the US Geological Survey, the quake struck shortly after 11 p.m. local time. The epicenter was reported to be the High Atlas Mountains almost 72 km southwest of Marrakech. The tourist city homes around 840,000 people. Of the families affected by the quake, many live in areas considered to be “highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking”, stated the USGS.
A woman looks at the rubble of a building in the earthquake-damaged old city in Marrakesh on September 9, 2023. A powerful earthquake that shook Morocco late September 8 killed more than 600 people, interior ministry figures showed, sending terrified residents fleeing their homes in the middle of the night. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images)
So far, the authorities have confirmed 632 deaths but the toll is likely to rise. According to an expert, multiple aftershocks and the predicted magnitude of potential aftershocks are in the “high fives“. On the other hand, rescue teams are continuing their efforts to clear the hardest-hit areas with nearby roads damaged and/or blocked. In the wake of the tremors, many residents reportedly slept in the streets. Additionally, traffic has been reported in cities caused by a rush to pick up the patients, as the tourists are also attempting to flee the destruction.
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Long Wait-Period outside Hospitals
According to CNN reports, many of the injured have been seen standing outside a hospital building in Marrakesh with some appearing to have serious injuries. Beds have been moved outside the building to facilitate incoming patients with a large security detail including military and police officials.
Meanwhile, traffic has been reported in parts of Marrakech with buses, jeeps, and ambulances rushing to pick up patients and tourists in the wake of the destruction caused by the earthquake.
According to Morocco’s Interior Ministry, of the 632 people who have died, thirteen are from Marrakech while 290 are from Al Haouz.
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A resident looks at a damaged building following a 6.8-magnitude quake in Marrakesh on September 9, 2023. A powerful earthquake that shook Morocco late September 8 killed more than 600 people, interior ministry figures showed, sending terrified residents fleeing their homes in the middle of the night. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Condolences Pool In After Earthquake
According to reports, addressing the G20 summit earlier today, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences and assistance to Morocco in this “difficult time”. Modi said: “In this difficult time, my thoughts are with Morocco, and we are prepared to offer every possible assistance”. Among those attending the summit are prominent figures: US President Joe Biden, UK PM Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and others. However, Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin are not in attendance.
Aside from Modi, European leaders have also offered condolences over the “devastating” Morocco earthquake. Meanwhile, France has expressed solidarity with the people of Morocco. French Foreign Minister, Catherine Colonna, wrote on X: “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we admire the work of the rescuers who are tirelessly helping the injured”.
On the other hand, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed government bodies to provide assistance to Morocco, including an aid delegation. A statement issued by the PM’s office reads: “The Prime Minister said that the people of Israel stand with our friends, the people of Morocco, during this difficult hour and prays for their well being, and that we will help in any way needed”.
It is worth mentioning that Israel and Morocco established diplomatic ties in 2020, as part of the Abraham Accords.
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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi waits to welcome the leaders of the G20 countries at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 9, 2023. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
UN Vows Support to Morocco
The statement further read that the Secretary-General offers “most sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured”.
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People gather outside Sidi Hsain Hospital, following a powerful quake, in Ouarzazate, Morocco, September 9, 2023 in this screen grab obtained from a handout video. Radio Sawt Ouarzazate/via Reuters TV/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT
Ministry urges Public to remain Calm
According to reports, the Moroccan Interior Ministry has urged the people to remain calm and “avoid panic“. In a speech broadcast on state media, Rashid Al-Khalfi the general secretary of Internal Affairs for the country said that the government has activated available resources to ‘deal” with the tragedy.
Among the damage caused by the quake, are parts of the historic walls in Marrakech. These walls help to enclose the historic medina districts of Marrakech and were reportedly laid out as early as the 12th Century.
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