Morocco mourns earthquake victims, UNESCO calls for reconstruction

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
10 Sep 2023 16:47

Moroccan authorities open several blood donation centers in various cities of the country, especially in major cities such as Casablanca.

A handout picture from UNESCO shows the United Nations agency's Maghreb regional director Eric Falt inspecting damaged sites in the old town known as the Medina, in Marrakesh city on September 9, 2023 (Photo by UNESCO/AFP)

The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Observatory (EMSC) confirmed it had recorded a 4.5-magnitude earthquake, 77 km southwest of the Moroccan city of Marrakesh.

This comes as large numbers of Moroccans flock to blood donation centers in response to the appeal of health authorities, who urged citizens to donate blood to help treat the injured as a result of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck the country.

Moroccan authorities have opened several blood donation centers in various cities of the country, especially in major cities, such as Casablanca.

Blood is one of the most needed supplies in hospitals in such circumstances, as thousands of surgical operations are performed simultaneously and continuously in more than one hospital in areas affected by the earthquake.

On Sunday, Morocco mourned the victims of the earthquake that claimed the lives of more than 2,000 people, as per an official toll that is expected to rise with the continuation of the search operations, as stated by Moroccan state media.

Morocco's King Mohammed VI declared on Saturday a three-day national mourning in response to the deadly earthquake.

The state of al-Haouz is the epicenter of the earthquake and the most affected, as the number of victims there reached 1,293 people, followed by the state of Taroudant, with 452.

In a related context, the director of the UNESCO Office in the Arab Maghreb region, Eric Falt, paid a two-hour visit to the city of Marrakesh, emphasizing that "after a disaster like this, the most important thing is to preserve human lives."

"But it is also necessary to immediately plan for the second phase, which will include the reconstruction of schools and cultural assets affected by the earthquake," Falt pointed out, adding that Marrakesh includes many places that UNESCO has listed as world heritage.

The official also said the Koutoubia Minaret experienced large cracks and the minaret of the Kharbouch Mosque in Jemaa el Fna Square is almost completely destroyed, noting that the walls of Medina of Marrakesh were damaged in many places.

Moroccan media also reported that parts of the Tinmel Mosque had collapsed. Photographs circulating online, which Reuters could not immediately verify, showed tumbled walls, a half-fallen tower, and large piles of debris.

Responding to a Reuters question about the reported damage to Tinmel, a Moroccan Culture Ministry source said, "The Ministry has decided to restore it and will make budget for it," without giving further details.

In addition, French artists of Moroccan origin expressed their solidarity with Morocco and called for a donation campaign.

French Minister of Culture Rima Abdul Malek also expressed her solidarity with Morocco and vowed that France would be on the side of the Moroccan people to rebuild the ancient heritage that was severely damaged as a result of the earthquake.