In Marrakech, Morocco, a rare and powerful earthquake struck late Friday night, resulting in the loss of over 600 lives and causing damage to buildings from villages in the Atlas Mountains to the historic city of Marrakech. The death toll was feared to rise as rescue workers worked tirelessly on Saturday, digging through rubble and reaching remote areas.
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Government television showed people gathering on the streets of Marrakech late at night, hesitant to re-enter buildings that might still be unstable. One man recounted how he was about to enter his apartment when dishes and objects started falling, and people’s legs and chairs tumbled down. A woman shared her experience, describing a “violent shake” that made her flee her home. A child, held in someone’s arms, woke up due to the jolt that rocked his bed.
Emergency workers were searching for survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings, their bright yellow jackets illuminating the night scenes. Local media posted videos showing some of the famous red walls of the old city of Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage site, damaged. Marrakech’s iconic 69-meter (226-foot) minaret, known as the “rooftop of Marrakech,” suffered harm.
Moroccans also posted videos showing parts of the famous red walls of the old city that had sustained damage. In Marrakech, which dates back to the 12th century, the famous Koutoubia Mosque suffered damage, but the extent was not immediately clear.
The Moroccan Ministry of the Interior reported on Saturday morning that at least 632 people had died, mostly in and around Marrakech and the five regions nearest to the earthquake’s epicenter. Another 329 people were injured.
In areas near the epicenter, a city’s mayor told Morocco’s 2M news site that many houses had been partially or entirely demolished, and in some places, electricity and roads were cut off.
Local media reported that roads in affected areas near the earthquake’s epicenter were jammed with vehicles, and fallen rocks were obstructing mountain roads, making rescue efforts slow.
Morocco’s military and emergency services mobilized to assist in affected areas. Roads leading to mountainous regions near the epicenter were reported to be jammed with vehicles, and collapsed rocks obstructed roads, slowing rescue efforts. Trucks loaded with blankets, tents, and lighting equipment were en route to this region, according to the official news agency MAP.
Al Haouz boasts stunning High Atlas vistas and incredible villages nestled in the mountains.
On Saturday morning in Marrakech, on the outskirts of the old city, ambulances and motorcycles were seen moving around as businesses typically resumed on a Saturday morning. Tourists and travelers navigated obstacles, snapping pictures of sections of earthen walls that had crumbled, leaving chunks and dust strewn across sidewalks and streets.
Support messages from around the world began pouring in on Saturday.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz tweeted a heartfelt message, saying, “This is dreadful news from Morocco “In these difficult moments, our hearts are with all those affected by this devastating earthquake.” Germany’s federal agency for technical assistance has stated its readiness to provide support if Morocco requests aid in the earthquake-affected region. Germany is home to a Moroccan community of over one million immigrants and descendants.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently hosting the G20 Summit of the world’s largest economies, wrote, “India stands ready to assist Morocco in every possible way during this challenging time.”
The European Union stated in a Saturday statement that its Emergency Response Coordination Center is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to provide assistance, while a United Nations spokesperson, “The United Nations stands prepared to support the Moroccan government in its endeavors to aid the impacted populace .”The U.S. Geological Survey said the initial magnitude said
of the earthquake, which struck at 11:11 pm local time on Friday night, was 6.8 (2211 GMT) with aftershocks lasting several seconds. USGS reported a 4.9 magnitude aftershock 19 minutes later.
The epicenter of Friday’s earthquake was located about 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) south of the city of Marrakech, near the town of Ighil in the Al Haouz region.
USGS reported the earthquake’s center to be 18 kilometers (11 miles) below the Earth’s surface, while Morocco’s earthquake agency had it at 11 kilometers (7 miles) deep. Deeper earthquakes tend to be more destructive.
Preliminary reports indicate significant damage and casualties throughout the Marrakech-Safi region, according to state figures, which is home to over 4.5 million people.
Earthquakes are relatively rare in North Africa. Lahcen Mahani, head of the National Institute of Geophysics’ Seismic Surveillance and Warning Department, told 2M TV that this earthquake was the most powerful recorded so far in the mountainous region.
In 1960, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck near the city of Agadir in Morocco, resulting in thousands of deaths.
The Agadir earthquake in Morocco prompted changes in construction regulations, but many buildings, especially rural homes, were not built to withstand such shocks.
In 2004, the coastal city of Al Hoceima, located on the Mediterranean, experienced a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4, resulting in the loss of over 600 lives.
The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algeria’s Civil Protection Agency, responsible for emergency response, reported that Friday’s earthquake was felt as far as Portugal and Algeria.