A devastating earthquake has struck Morocco, claiming the lives of more than 800 people and injuring hundreds more. This destructive event has left buildings in ruins and prompted residents in major cities to flee their homes, marking the deadliest earthquake in the country in over six decades.
The earthquake, measuring a magnitude of 7.2, struck late at night in Morocco’s High Atlas mountains. The Interior Ministry has reported that 820 people lost their lives, with 672 others injured. Many of the casualties occurred in remote mountainous areas, making rescue efforts challenging.
In Marrakech, the city closest to the epicenter, terrified residents spent the night outdoors, fearing the safety of their homes. The historic old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, also suffered significant damage, including a mosque minaret collapsing in Jemaa al-Fna Square. Rescue teams worked tirelessly to dig through the rubble.
Residents in Marrakech described their ordeal, with one person, Miloud Skrout, saying, “Everything is by God’s will, but we sustained great harm.” Others, like Jaouhari Mohamed, expressed their fear of returning to old houses in the city, highlighting the precarious state of these structures.
International tourists were also caught in the chaos, with an Australian named Tri describing the frightening moment when the room started shaking, forcing them to evacuate.
The quake’s impact extended to several provinces, including Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Marrakech, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant, as reported by the Interior Ministry.
Local residents in affected areas shared their experiences of destruction and aftershocks. Montasir Itri, from the mountain village of Asni near the epicenter, reported widespread house damage, with neighbors trapped under rubble. Hamid Afkar, near Taroudant, described the terrifying moments as the earth shook.
This earthquake is the deadliest in Morocco since 1960 when a tremor claimed the lives of an estimated 12,000 people, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The epicenter, Ighil, is a remote mountainous region approximately 70 km southwest of Marrakech. The seismic activity even reached southern Spain, with tremors felt in Huelva and Jaen in Andalusia.
Global governments expressed solidarity and readiness to provide assistance. Turkey, which had faced its own devastating earthquakes earlier in the year, offered support.
The timing of this tragedy is particularly unfortunate, as Marrakech is scheduled to host the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in early October.
In Marrakech, the damage was evident, with collapsed houses in the old city and locals waiting for heavy equipment to clear debris. Cracks in the medieval city wall and fallen sections added to the devastation.
Residents across the affected areas, including Rabat and Imsouane, fled their homes, fearing additional tremors. In Casablanca, residents who spent the night in the streets remained too frightened to return to their homes.
Videos shared on social media captured the immediate aftermath, showing people running out of shopping centers, restaurants, and apartment buildings, seeking safety outdoors.
Preventing such devastating earthquakes is a complex challenge, often beyond human control. However, building infrastructure that adheres to strict seismic codes, early warning systems, and public awareness campaigns can help mitigate the impact of future seismic events. Collaboration between nations in earthquake-prone regions can also lead to better disaster preparedness and response.
