In a devastating turn of events, Morocco has been rocked by the strongest earthquake it has seen in over a century, claiming the lives of 2,000 people and leaving thousands more injured. The nation now braces for the possibility of this grim toll rising in the hours to come.
The rare and formidable earthquake, measuring 6.8 magnitude, struck Morocco late on a fateful Friday night, causing widespread destruction. Reports indicate that the historic city of Marrakech, renowned for its 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque, has been severely affected. Videos and images shared online portray a scene of chaos, with people running and screaming near the iconic mosque, which has reportedly suffered damage.
King Mohammed VI declared three days of national mourning in the wake of this catastrophic event and issued orders for immediate assistance and support to be extended to survivors. However, the challenging terrain, with many victims stranded in hard-to-reach mountainous areas, complicates rescue efforts.
As of now, a frantic rescue mission is underway, with fears mounting that more individuals may be trapped under the debris of collapsed buildings. The quake’s epicentre was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, situated approximately 70 kilometres (43.5 miles) south of Marrakech.
Footage and eyewitness accounts tell a harrowing story of the disaster’s impact, with homes reduced to rubble, cars buried under debris, and a sense of devastation that has swept over the affected areas. Many families are now huddled on the pavement, some with children and blankets, as they await help and assess the damage.
Rescue teams are working tirelessly, using hammers and axes to free those trapped under the wreckage. The situation remains dire, with some villages in the region suffering massive destruction. Roads leading to the epicentre are blocked by fallen rocks and vehicles, hindering rescue efforts.
The international community has rallied behind Morocco in this time of crisis, with leaders from around the world expressing their condolences and offering assistance. President Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak, UK Chancellor, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are among those extending their support. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also offered assistance, and the United Nations stands ready to aid Morocco in its recovery efforts.
Algeria, in an extraordinary display of solidarity, has even offered to open its airspace to facilitate humanitarian aid and medical evacuation flights to and from Morocco, despite the countries’ longstanding diplomatic disputes.
The earthquake’s severity has shocked experts, as such events are relatively rare in North Africa. This disaster serves as a somber reminder of the vulnerability of many buildings, particularly rural homes, to seismic activity. While Morocco had instituted changes in construction rules following a 1960 earthquake in Agadir, the country remains susceptible to tremors of this magnitude.
