In a devastating turn of events, Morocco has been struck by the strongest earthquake in over a century, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. With the death toll surpassing 2,400 and rising, the nation is reeling from the aftermath of a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the rural Al Haouz region, located 44 miles south of Marrakesh, on Friday.
The epicentre of the earthquake proved particularly lethal, claiming the lives of 1,351 individuals in the immediate area. Rescuers from Morocco, Spain, various aid groups, and 60 teams from the UK are currently engaged in a desperate search for survivors. Their efforts are focused on reaching the hard-hit remote mountain areas, employing trucks and helicopters to access the most affected regions.
As of Sunday night, official reports indicate that at least 2,476 people have been injured, adding to the growing humanitarian crisis. The earthquake and its subsequent aftershocks have obliterated clay and mud brick-built villages, reducing them to rubble. Those who have survived are now facing dire circumstances, struggling to secure essential necessities such as food, water, and electricity. The treacherous conditions are compounded by giant boulders obstructing steep mountain roads, making access even more challenging.
Salah Ancheu, a 28-year-old survivor, expressed the grim reality, saying, “It’s a catastrophe. We don’t know what the future is. The aid remains insufficient.” This sentiment is shared by countless others in the affected regions.
In response to the crisis, Moroccan authorities have deployed army units along critical routes leading to remoter mountain villages, utilising bulldozers and heavy machinery to clear the way. The tragedy has united the nation in grief, with flags lowered across Morocco as King Mohammed VI declared three days of national mourning beginning Sunday. Despite the sorrow, survivors are tirelessly attempting to salvage what remains of their damaged homes.
72-year-old mountain guide Hamid Idsalah, who resides in The Ouargane Valley, emphasised the region’s reliance on tourists for their livelihood, given its proximity to Marrakech and Toubkal, North Africa’s tallest peak and a popular destination for climbers.
The United Nations estimates that approximately 300,000 people have been affected by the earthquake, making the need for international aid paramount. While aid offers have poured in from around the world, some have criticised the government for not making a broader appeal for help. Nevertheless, the Interior Ministry has accepted search and rescue-focused international aid from Spain, Qatar, Britain, and the United Arab Emirates.
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna announced emergency funds of 5 million euros for Moroccan and international non-governmental groups, while French towns and cities have offered over 2 million euros in aid. International leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, have expressed their readiness to assist the Moroccan people during this trying time.
This earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8, marks Morocco’s strongest quake in over a century. The shallow epic-enter contributed to its devastating impact, toppling buildings in various regions and triggering aftershocks that continue to rattle nerves in areas already grappling with unstable structures.
While such powerful tremors are rare in Morocco, it is not the deadliest in the nation’s history. Just over 60 years ago, a magnitude 5.8 quake struck, claiming over 12,000 lives on the western coast. That tragedy prompted changes in construction regulations, but many buildings, particularly rural homes, remain ill-equipped to withstand such seismic forces.
