Late Friday, a potent earthquake struck Morocco, resulting in the tragic loss of more than 600 lives, as reported by the interior ministry. Terrified residents were compelled to flee their homes in the middle of the night. The earthquake, registering a magnitude of 6.8, occurred approximately 72 kilometers (45 miles) southwest of the popular tourist destination Marrakesh at 11:11 pm (2211 GMT), according to the US Geological Survey.
Abdelhak El Amrani, 33, who was in Marrakesh at the time, described the intense tremors and the panic that ensued. Buildings swayed, and many residents were in shock and panic, particularly children and their distraught parents. Updated figures from the interior ministry on Saturday revealed that the earthquake claimed the lives of 632 people, with over half of the fatalities occurring in Al-Haouz and Taroudant provinces. Other provinces, including Ouarzazate, Chichaoua, Azilal, and Youssoufia, as well as major cities like Marrakesh, Agadir, and the Casablanca area, also reported casualties. In addition to the fatalities, 329 people sustained injuries, with 51 individuals in critical condition, according to the ministry.
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Widespread Impact and Chaotic Scenes
Faisal Baddour, an engineer, recounted the terror of feeling the earthquake multiple times in his building. Panic-stricken residents took to the streets, with some families choosing to sleep outside due to fears of aftershocks.
Frenchman Michael Bizet, who owns traditional riad houses in Marrakesh’s old town, described the chaotic scene and the feeling that his bed might be lifted by the force of the earthquake.
Local media reported that a family near the quake’s epicenter in Al-Haouz became trapped in debris when their home collapsed.
Assistance and Resilience
Authorities have mobilized resources to assist affected areas, and the regional blood transfusion center in Marrakesh has called on residents to donate blood for the injured. Moroccan media reported that this earthquake was the most powerful in the country’s history. In the past, Morocco has experienced significant earthquakes, with the 2004 Al Hoceima earthquake resulting in numerous casualties, and the 1960 Agadir earthquake claiming over 12,000 lives. Additionally, the 1980 El Asnam earthquake in neighboring Algeria was one of the most destructive in recent history, causing extensive loss of life and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. World leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Russian president, Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have expressed their condolences and concerns.
The earthquake was also felt in neighboring Algeria, although reports suggest it did not cause any damage or casualties.
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