A deadly earthquake took place in Morocco late Friday night. The earthquake affected a large number of people. At least 1,037 people died, 1,000 were injured, and 51 were in critical condition. Allegedly, the majority of fatalities occurred in remote mountain regions. This presented physical challenges for rescue efforts due to their difficult accessibility. Continue reading to learn more about the earthquake and its aftermath.
When Did The Earthquake Hit Morocco?
The US Geological Survey initially reported a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 for the earthquake, which occurred at 11:11 PM. The tremors lasted for several seconds. On the other hand, Morocco’s National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network measured it at 7 on the Richter scale. Moreover, 19 minutes later, the US agency also noted a magnitude 4.9 aftershock. This was one of the strongest earthquakes in Morocco in recent years.
The epicenter for the earthquake was located in the Atlas Mountains, approximately 70 kilometers south of Marrakech. The USGS reported that the epicenter was 18 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface. At the same time, the Moroccan seismic agency estimated it to be only 8 kilometers deep.
Moreover, Moroccan citizens shared videos of the earthquake and its aftermath. Buildings were reduced to dust in no time, and parts of the iconic red walls surrounding Marrakech’s old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, were also damaged.
The World’s Reaction
The earthquake resulted in significant damage to life and property and also caused a panic situation among the citizens. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. He penned,
“Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time.”
Montasir Itri, a resident of the mountain village, said, “Our neighbours are under the rubble and people are working hard to rescue them using available means in the village.”
The earthquake was unexpected and resulted in a huge loss of life. The intensity of the quake shakes the entire world. The world is offering its prayers and assistance to Morocco. We hope that the injured have a speedy recovery. Our condolences are with the families of the ones suffering.
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