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Citizens in the capital, Rabat, took to the streets for fear of the earthquake
9 September 2023, 01:36 GMT
Last updated 3 hours ago
The death toll from the earthquake that struck Morocco on Friday night has risen to at least 820 people, according to the Moroccan Ministry of Interior.
Casualties were recorded in the provinces and prefectures of Al Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudan.
A local official said that most of the deaths were in hard-to-reach mountainous areas.
The National Institute of Geophysics in Morocco reported that an earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale was recorded in Al Haouz Province, in the center of the country, at 11:00 Friday night, Moroccan time.
The National Institute of Geophysics indicated that aftershocks following the earthquake that struck Morocco could continue, adding that “the aftershocks are expected to continue for a few days or a few weeks before they disappear,” according to Moroccan media.
Videos posted on social media showed destroyed buildings, other buildings shaking, and streets filled with scattered debris. People were seen running away in panic, and some were walking through clouds of dust.
There were reports of families still trapped under the rubble of their homes. Hospitals in the city of Marrakesh witnessed an influx of wounded from various regions, and the authorities called on citizens to donate blood.
Many of the footage published on the X platform showed buildings collapsing, but the BBC was unable to locate those buildings.
Residents decided to stay outside their homes in anticipation of other strong earthquakes.
The US Geological Survey said that a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck central Morocco, adding that the epicenter of the earthquake was 71 kilometers southwest of Marrakesh, and at a depth of 18.5 kilometers.
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From the scenes of the ruins in Marrakesh
Residents of Marrakesh, the closest large city to the epicenter of the earthquake, said that some buildings had collapsed in the old part of the city, which is classified on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Footage of the city wall, which dates back to the Middle Ages, showed large cracks in one of its sections, parts of it falling, and rubble being scattered. in the street.
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Residents of Casablanca fled their homes and spread out on the streets
Montaser Etri, a resident of the mountainous village of Asna near the epicenter of the earthquake, said that most of the houses there were damaged.
He added, “Our neighbors are under the rubble and the people are working hard to save them using the means available in the village.”
The Media 24 website also quoted medical sources as saying that there was a “massive influx” of wounded people to Marrakesh hospitals. Residents of Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir and Essaouira felt the earthquake, as a number of citizens took to the streets of these cities for fear of the collapse of their homes, according to pictures circulated on social media.
Image source: REUTERS
In the west, near Taroudant, teacher Hamid Afkar said that he fled his home and that aftershocks followed the earthquake.
He added, “The ground shook for about 20 seconds. The doors opened and closed on their own when I went down from the second floor to
downstairs”.
The earthquake was also felt in neighboring Algeria, but officials there said it did not cause any damage or loss of life.
Regarding international reactions, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was speaking at the G20 summit, said that the international community will come to Morocco’s aid.
The Spanish Prime Minister offered “solidarity and support to the Moroccan people.” French President Emmanuel Macron said he felt “devastated” by the news and offered to provide assistance to Morocco.
It is noteworthy that on February 24, 2004, an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck Al Hoceima Governorate, 400 kilometers northeast of Rabat, resulting in 628 deaths and severe material damage.
On February 29, 1960, an earthquake destroyed the city of Agadir, located on the western coast of the country, leaving more than 12,000 dead, or a third of the city’s population.
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2023-09-09 10:06:23
