Devastating Earthquake Strikes Morocco, Leaving Hundreds Dead and Injured

At least 296 people were killed and 153 injured as a result of a powerful earthquake in Morocco.

Source: AFP/France24

Details: Around 300 people were killed after a powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Morocco on Friday evening.

“According to preliminary data, the earthquake killed 296 people in the provinces and municipalities of Al-Haouz, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant,” Morocco’s interior ministry said in a statement.

Another 153 people were injured.

The earthquake struck 44 miles (71 kilometers) southwest of the tourist center of Marrakech at a depth of 18.5 kilometers at 11:11 pm (2211 GMT), the US Geological Survey said.

The Interior Ministry said authorities had “mobilized all necessary resources to intervene and help the affected areas.”

Hospitals in Marrakesh are reportedly facing a “massive influx” of injured people.

The regional blood transfusion center in Marrakesh has called on residents to donate blood for the wounded.

The earthquake was also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca and Essaouira.

The U.S. Geological Survey’s PAGER system, which provides preliminary estimates of the impact of earthquakes, issued an orange economic loss alert, meaning significant losses are likely.

According to the US government agency, past events with this level of alarm required a regional or national response.

The USGS noted that “populations in this region live in buildings that are highly vulnerable to tremors.”

According to global Internet monitoring NetBlocks, Internet connections in Marrakesh were disrupted due to power outages.

Moroccan media reported that it was the most powerful earthquake to hit the country to date.

The earthquake was also felt in neighboring Algeria, where Algerian civil defense said it did not cause any damage or casualties.

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2023-09-09 04:32:17