A devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 struck Morocco's High Atlas mountains late on September 8, leaving at least 632 people dead and 329 injured, as per the Interior Ministry. The earthquake, one of the deadliest in Morocco's recent history, led to the destruction of numerous buildings and forced residents in major cities to flee their homes in fear.
The epicenter of the earthquake was in the Ighil area of the High Atlas, approximately 70 kilometers (40 miles) southwest of the historic city of Marrakech. This powerful tremor, which struck just after 11 p.m. local time (2200 GMT), sent shockwaves throughout the region, affecting several provinces including Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Marrakech, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant.
In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, reports of widespread damage poured in from various areas. In Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its historic architecture, some buildings in the old city had collapsed. Additionally, local television showed images of a mosque minaret that had toppled onto smashed cars.
Residents of the affected areas described moments of chaos and panic. Houda Hafsi, a 43-year-old resident of Marrakech, recounted;
"The chandelier fell from the ceiling, and I ran out. I'm still in the road with my children, and we're scared."
Another resident, Dalila Fahem, spoke of cracks in her house and furniture damage, saying;
"Fortunately, I hadn't gone to sleep yet."
Further west, near Taroudant, teacher Hamid Afkar reported feeling aftershocks and described the initial quake, saying;
"The earth shook for about 20 seconds. Doors opened and shut by themselves as I rushed downstairs from the second floor."
In Ighil, a mountainous area with small farming villages near the epicenter, Montasir Itri revealed that most houses in the village were damaged.
"Our neighbors are under the rubble, and people are working hard to rescue them using available means in the village," he said.
The earthquake's impact extended beyond Marrakech, with residents in Rabat, located approximately 350 kilometers (220 miles) north of Ighil, and in the coastal town of Imsouane, about 180 kilometers to the west, fleeing their homes, fearing a stronger quake, according to Reuters witnesses. In Casablanca, roughly 250 kilometers north of the epicenter, people who spent the night in the streets were too scared to return to their homes.
Morocco's geophysical center recorded the quake with a magnitude of 7.2, while the U.S. Geological Survey reported it as 6.8. The quake was relatively shallow, occurring at a depth of 18.5 kilometers (11.5 miles).
The Interior Ministry has urged calm in the wake of the disaster and is coordinating rescue and relief efforts. This earthquake stands as Morocco's deadliest since a 2004 tremor near Al Hoceima in the northern Rif mountains claimed the lives of over 600 people.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of this devastating earthquake, rescue teams are working diligently to save lives and provide assistance to those affected by this tragic natural disaster. The Moroccan government has called for international aid and support to address the immediate needs of the affected communities.
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