Sat 09 September 2023:
A powerful earthquake centred in Morocco’s High Atlas mountains killed hundreds of people, the government said, as collapsed buildings and people fled their shuddering homes in several cities.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 has rocked Morocco, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). According to Moroccan state media, at least 820 people were killed and 672 were injured. The tremor struck shortly after 11 p.m. local time (22:00 GMT). According to the USGS, the epicentre of the earthquake was 18.5km (11.5 miles) deep and occurred roughly 72km (44 miles) northeast of Marrakesh.
The head of the National Institute of Geophysics in Morocco has said that Friday’s earthquake is the strongest in a century in the country.
He added that the core of the earthquake was the al-Haouz region in southwest Morocco.
The earthquake’s epicentre was at a relatively shallow depth of 18.5km (just over 11 miles) and occurred about 72km (44 miles) southwest of #Marrakesh and 56km (around 35 miles) west of the town of Oukaimeden. #moroccoearthquake pic.twitter.com/nlk06QFdcL
— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) September 9, 2023
Mohamed, a resident in Marrakesh, said that he was in his apartment on the third floor of his building when the earthquake happened.
“It suddenly and violently started shaking. I escaped and was safe … Only books or pieces of art fell from the shelves,” he said.
He said: “Many old buildings were collapsed in the old city of Marrakesh. The suburbs of Marrakesh were hugely affected by the earthquake. Most of casualties are recorded in the surrounding rural communes and outskirts.”
At least 632 killed in quake near Marrakesh
At least 632 killed and 329 injured, according to Moroccan state media. The quake hit just after 11pm local time (22:00 GMT).#moroccoearthquake #المغرب_ pic.twitter.com/yeNjhDjIXo
— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) September 9, 2023
Montasir Itri, a resident of the mountain village of Asni near the epicentre, has said most houses are damaged around the area where he lives.
“Our neighbours are under the rubble, and people are working hard to rescue them using available means in the village,” he told the Reuters news agency.
Further west, near Taroudant, teacher Hamid Afkar said he had fled his home and there had been aftershocks following the initial quake.
“The earth shook for about 20 seconds. Doors opened and shut by themselves as I rushed downstairs from the second floor,” he said.
Which areas have been affected by the earthquake?
Morocco’s geophysical centre said the quake struck in the Ighil area of the High Atlas.
The impact, however, has been felt as far afield as Portugal and Algeria.
Ighil, a mountainous area with small farming villages, is about 70km (40 miles) south-west of Marrakech.
No risk of tsunami: Official
Lahsen Mhanni, the head of the seismic monitoring service in Morocco, said that the earthquake resulted in tens of aftershocks, the maximum of which was at magnitude five.
He told Al Jazeera from Rabat: “Tens of aftershocks will still be recorded, but they will be lower magnitude than the main one. And with time, they will decrease gradually until the geological infrastructure becomes balanced again.”
He added that there was no current danger of a tsunami.
Call for blood donations in Marrakesh
The Marrakesh Regional Blood Transfusion Centre has called for blood donations for the victims of the deadly earthquake.
The institution appealed to all people in the city of Marrakesh to come to the centre to donate blood, starting from Saturday morning.
Morocco earthquake : More than 600 people killed and hundreds injured as several cities affected.#المغرب #المغرب_يستغيث pic.twitter.com/gJs722fCmt
— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) September 9, 2023
Turkey’s Erdogan expresses condolences, support to Morocco
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered support to Morocco after the “devastating earthquake”.
“We will support our Moroccan brothers in every way in this difficult hour,” he said in a message on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Morocco earthquake : More than 600 people killed and hundreds injured as several cities affected. #المغرب #المغرب_يستغيث pic.twitter.com/bdxPbK5hq0
— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) September 9, 2023
Putin offers condolences to Morocco over deadly earthquake: Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to the “friendly people” of Morocco after the earthquake.
“In Russia, we share the pain and the mourning of the friendly Moroccan people,” Putin said in a message to Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, offering his “sincere condolences for the tragic consequences of the devastating earthquake.”
German chancellor offers condolences after ‘devastating’ Morocco earthquake
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has offered his condolences to relatives of the victims of the “devastating” earthquake in Morocco.
“At this difficult time, our thoughts are with the victims of this devastating earthquake. Our sympathy goes out to all those affected by this natural disaster,” Scholz, who is attending the G20 summit in India this weekend, wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Zelenskyy sends ‘deepest condolences’ to Morocco after earthquake
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed solidarity with Morocco following the earthquake.
“Our deepest condolences to HM King Mohammed VI and all Moroccans for the lives lost in the horrible earthquake in the Marrakesh region. I wish those injured a fast recovery. Ukraine stands in solidarity with Morocco during this tragic time,” Zelenskyy said on social media.
France’s Macron ‘devastated’ by Morocco earthquake, promises aid
French President Emmanuel Macron has said he is “devastated” by the earthquake in Morocco, which has killed at least 632 people, and offered to help relief efforts.
“We are all devastated after the terrible earthquake in Morocco,” Macron said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “France stands ready to help with first aid.”
Israel to send team to Morocco
Al Jazeera’s Walid al-Omari, reporting from Palestine, said the Israeli government announced that the ministries of foreign affairs and defence are preparing a large team to be sent to Morocco.
They will provide assistance in rescue and first aid operations for earthquake victims in Morocco, our correspondent said.
The foreign ministry also said that it is in contact with the authorities in Rabat and no Israeli casualties were recorded among the tourists in Morocco.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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