A 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Morocco on the past Friday night left approximately 300 dead and 153 individuals grievously injured.
The quake ravaged numerous structures, causing panic among the citizens of major cities who hurriedly vacated their residences. Montasir Itri, an inhabitant of the mountainous Asni village, which is proximate to the quake’s epicentre, said, “Our community is engulfed in debris with rescue operations accelerating in the village using whatever resources are available.“
The interim data disclosed by the ministry depicted reposted as many as 296 lives across various provinces and cities, including al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant. Moreover, it was reported that 153 individuals had sustained injuries, necessitating hospitalization.
Casualties and Infrastructure Damages
The seismic activity’s focal point was alarmingly near Marrakech. The aftermath witnessed the collapse of numerous structures, including a UNESCO World Heritage site in the ancient part of the city. Furthermore, the region disrupted internet connectivity due to power outages, a detail confirmed by global internet monitoring entity NetBlocks.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) has remarked that the region’s populace resides in edifices that stand extremely susceptible to the tremors emanating from seismic activities.
According to USGS’s data, the earthquake originated at a relatively shallow depth of 18.5 km, approximately 72 km southwest of Marrakesh, occurring shortly after 11 p.m. local time (2200 GMT).
The tremor left the citizens in a state of turmoil and panic. “The tremor was intensely violent, signifying the occurrence of an earthquake,” Abdelhak El Amrani, a Marrakesh resident, narrated his experience to AFP over a phone call. Narrating the shocking sights of shifting buildings and the ensuing chaos, he conveyed the community’s shock and fear, especially amongst the children.
Michael Bizet, a French national and owner of three traditional riad houses in Marrakech, recounted his harrowing experience, describing the scene as utter chaos and a significant catastrophe. Videos circulating on social platforms illustrated the extent of the damage, showcasing instances such as the collapse of a portion of a minaret at the renowned Jemaa el-Fna square, resulting in injuries to bystanders.
Amidst the catastrophe, efforts for intervention and aid are in full swing, with a massive inflow of injured individuals reported in Marrakesh hospitals. The local blood transfusion facility has appealed to the residents to come forward for blood donations to assist the injured. In Al-Haouz, close to the quake’s epicentre, distressing reports of a family trapped underneath rubble have emerged.
Not limited to Marrakesh, the earthquake’s repercussions were felt in coastal cities such as Rabat, Casablanca, and Essaouira. The USGS’s PAGER system has warned of probable significant economic losses, necessitating a response at a regional or national level.
Local media outlets have documented this event as the most potent earthquake to assail the nation till now. Additionally, tremors were noticed in adjacent Algeria, although no damage or casualties were reported. This seismic event brings back memories of previous tragic earthquakes in the region, evoking recollections of the massive destruction caused between 2004 and 1980.
*Additional news information was sourced from AFP.
