A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 has struck central Morocco, resulting in more than 2,000 casualties and causing widespread destruction in various regions, BBC reported. The earthquake struck at 23:11 local time (22:11 GMT) on September 8, prompting residents to rush into the streets, Daryo reported earlier.
❗️Marokashdagi zilzila qurbonlari soni 820 nafarga yetdi. Kamida 672 kishi jarohatlangan pic.twitter.com/bqE95vgsX1
— Daryo (@daryo_uz) September 9, 2023
The tremors were described as "violent" and were felt across the country, from Casablanca to Marrakesh, where numerous buildings suffered severe damage or collapsed. In response to the disaster, the country's royal palace declared three days of national mourning and announced plans for the armed forces to deploy rescue teams to provide affected areas with essential supplies, including clean drinking water, food, tents, and blankets.
Many of the victims are believed to be in remote mountainous areas that are difficult to access. The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the High Atlas Mountains, approximately 71 km (44 miles) southwest of Marrakesh. Search and rescue efforts are underway, with several bodies already recovered.
The death toll from a powerful earthquake in Morocco has soared to more than 2,000.
— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) September 9, 2023
King Mohammed VI declared three days of national mourning and ordered shelter, food and other help for survivors.
Many people are spending a second night out in the open.#moroccoearthquake pic.twitter.com/tUtMQJjB35
Hospitals in Marrakesh have received an influx of injured individuals, and authorities have appealed to residents to donate blood to support the medical response. Morocco's interior ministry reported casualties in various provinces and municipalities, including al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant. More than 1,200 people have been reported injured.
The damage in Marrakesh is particularly severe, with collapsed buildings and significant structural damage in parts of the Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Notably, the historic Kutubiyya mosque's minaret was surrounded by dust, and the Jemaa el Fnaa mosque partially collapsed.
Residents fled the city in the aftermath of the earthquake, with power outages plunging the area into darkness. Many sought refuge in nearby towns, including Amizmiz, where they checked on the safety of their family members. Aftershocks and the risk of further structural damage prompted the Moroccan government to advise residents not to return to their homes.
A 4.9-magnitude aftershock occurred 19 minutes after the initial earthquake, compounding concerns about additional damage. The full extent of the destruction in remote mountain villages remains uncertain, but it is expected to be widespread.
In addition to Morocco, the earthquake was felt in neighboring Algeria, although Algerian officials reported no damage or casualties. Despite severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021, Algeria offered to open its airspace for humanitarian and medical flights to assist with relief efforts.
Leaders from around the world expressed solidarity and support for Morocco in the wake of the disaster. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged international assistance, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and French President Emmanuel Macron offered their support. US President Joe Biden and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky expressed solidarity, and Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed condolences and shared the pain of the Moroccan people.
Earlier Daryo reported that President of Uzbekistan expressed condolences to King Mohammed VI of Morocco for the devastating earthquake.
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