Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

A chronicle of earthquakes in Morocco: From year 818 to 2023

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: La Vie éco
  • 9 Sep 2023 18:16
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Learn more about Morocco's seismic history, from the Middle Ages to the devastating 2004 Al Hoceima earthquake and today's.

  • x
  • The earthquake that hit Morocco adds on to a list of devastating earthquakes that devastated the country.
    Rescuers use a small excavator to search for survivors under the rubble of a collapsed house in Moulay Brahim, al-Haouz province, on September 9, 2023, (AFP)

Morocco has historically been a hotspot for earthquakes, with some resulting in thousands of casualties, as well as significant material losses. Some earthquakes that hit the North African country did go unnoticed, however, the most recent one which hit Morocco overnight has resulted in hundreds of victims so far.

Morocco is located in a seismically active region at one of the largest intracontinental belts in the world, as it is situated on part of the African Plate and the Atlas Mountain Range.

Here are some of the most infamous earthquakes that struck Morocco over the centuries:

Historic events

According to the Moroccan French-language newspaper La Vie éco, an earthquake shook the coasts of the Strait of Gibraltar on May 28, 818, before two violent earthquakes struck Morocco on December 1 and 30, 1079, resulting in the deaths of hundreds under the rubble and causing significant destruction.

Around six hundred years later, a massive earthquake laid waste to various cities in the northern regions of the country on May 11, 1624. On August 5, 1660, Melilla experienced a powerful earthquake, resulting in large casualties and significant material losses.

In 1719, a seismic event along the Moroccan coast also led to widespread destruction in several coastal cities. Agadir was also struck by a violent earthquake in 1731.

Related News

French papers accused of 'unethical coverage' of Morocco earthquake

Search operations in Morocco stalled by mud, brick, stone-built houses

At the end of the 18th century, Melilla had to deal with another serious earthquake, suffering heavy material damages and fatalities.

Read more: Morocco's deadliest earthquake in decades claims more than 1,000 lives

20th century onward

In January 1909, earthquakes destroyed several neighborhoods in the suburbs of Tetouan, resulting in over 100 deaths and injuries.

The most devastating recorded earthquake was the one that struck the city of Agadir on February 29, 1960.

The earthquake hit the southern coastal city of Agadir claiming the lives of approximately one-third of the city's population, displacing tens of thousands and causing substantial material damage. The disaster remains to this day one of the world's most destructive earthquakes recorded in human history.

The earthquake reduced the city to rubble, resulting in approximately 15,000 victims and nearly 25,000 injuries, displacing 35,000 people.

Nine years following the catastrophic Agadir earthquake, Morocco found itself confronting yet another powerful seismic event. This time, the earthquake's epicenter was located in Lisbon, Portugal, which somewhat mitigated its impact on Moroccan soil. Nevertheless, it instilled widespread panic and exacted a toll of ten lives, while leaving 200 individuals injured.

More recently, in 2004, the northwestern region of Al Hoceima experienced a devastating earthquake at around 2:27 am on February 24. This seismic event registered a magnitude of 5.2 on the Richter scale. Tragically, it led to the loss of 862 lives, left 629 people injured, and forced a staggering 51,000 individuals to flee their homes.

Meanwhile, today's earthquake that rocked the outskirts of Marrakech overnight resulted in the death of 1037 people and the injury of more than 1204, including 721 in critical condition.

Read more: Broad Arab, international solidarity with Morocco after earthquake

  • Morocco earthquake
  • Morocco
  • Marrakesh

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS