Morocco finds itself reeling from the aftermath of a rare and potent earthquake that struck late on Friday night. This seismic catastrophe has left the nation in a state of shock and mourning, with the death toll now surging past 1,300 lives lost. The devastation caused by this earthquake has been particularly concentrated in the city of Marrakech and five provinces near the epicenter.
This grim update comes on the heels of initial reports, which had estimated the casualties at 296 people earlier in the day. The extent of the disaster became increasingly apparent as time progressed, revealing the immense human toll and the urgent need for assistance and support.
The heart-wrenching scenes witnessed on Moroccan television have left a deep impact on the nation. Fearful of potential aftershocks, many residents chose to remain outdoors, seeking refuge in open spaces. Streets were filled with anguished families, their children in their arms, clutching blankets and meager possessions. Amidst the wreckage of collapsed buildings, everyday items like baskets, buckets, and items of clothing were strewn about, a haunting testament to the chaos and destruction.
Online images shared by local residents illuminated the sense of panic and desperation near the iconic 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, a revered symbol in the city. Reports suggested that the mosque had sustained damage, though the full extent of this harm remains uncertain. The mosque’s towering 226-foot minaret, often referred to as the “roof of Marrakech,” holds immense cultural and religious significance for the region.
Further social media posts shed light on the impact of the earthquake on the renowned red walls encompassing the ancient city of Marrakech. This UNESCO World Heritage site, with its historical and architectural significance, had also been affected.
Abderrahim Ait Daoud, who oversees a town near the epicenter, shared the grim reality that several homes in nearby towns had either partially or completely collapsed. The earthquake’s disruption of electricity and blockage of road access in various areas added complexity to rescue and relief efforts. Priority was placed on clearing the mountainous roads in Al Haouz Province to enable ambulances to reach affected communities and aid to be distributed. However, the challenging terrain and considerable distances between mountain villages presented formidable obstacles in assessing the full scope of the damage.
Local media reports painted a picture of congested roads leading to the mountainous region around the epicenter, with fallen rocks obstructing paths and impeding the progress of rescue operations.
Support and condolences have poured in from across the globe. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz extended sympathies through social media, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hosting the Group of 20 summit, offered assistance to Morocco during this difficult period. The United Nations has also expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Moroccan government in providing aid to the affected populations.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provided additional insights into the earthquake, initially registering a magnitude of 6.8. The seismic event occurred at 11:11 p.m. GMT, with tremors lasting several seconds. The USGS also noted a magnitude-4.9 aftershock that occurred approximately 19 minutes later. The earthquake’s epicenter was located near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, situated about 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) south of Marrakech. While the USGS recorded a depth of 18 kilometers (11 miles) beneath the Earth’s surface, Morocco’s own seismic agency estimated it to be 11 kilometers (7 miles) deep. Shallow earthquakes like this one typically cause greater destruction.
It is crucial to note that earthquakes are infrequent in North Africa. Lahcen Mhanni, the Head of the Seismic Monitoring and Warning Department at the National Institute of Geophysics, described this earthquake as the most potent ever recorded in the mountainous region. The last significant earthquake in the region dates back to 1960, with a magnitude 5.8 event near Agadir that resulted in significant casualties and prompted revisions to Morocco’s construction regulations. However, many structures, especially rural homes, are not designed to withstand the forces of such seismic events. In 2004, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near Al Hoceima claimed the lives of over 600 people.
