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

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen
9 Sep 2023 17:01
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The Moroccan Ministry of Interior says the quake claimed the lives of at least 1,037 people.

People mourn in front of the body of a victim killed in an earthquake in Moulay Brahim, Al Haouz province, on September 9, 2023 (AFP)

Moroccan authorities confirmed on Saturday that the initial toll of the country's deadliest earthquake in decades rose to more than 1,000 people.

Morocco's geophysical center reported that the earthquake occurred in the Ighil region of the High Atlas mountains, reporting a magnitude of 7.2. The US Geological Survey reported that a 6.8-magnitude quake struck a mountainous area 72 kilometers (45 miles) southwest of tourist hotspot Marrakesh at 11:11 pm (2211 GMT) on Friday.

Strong tremors were also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca, and Essaouira. It is the strongest-ever quake to hit the North African Kingdom.

The World Health Organization said the earthquake affected more than 300,000 people in Marrakesh and its suburbs.

Updated Interior Ministry figures on Saturday showed the quake claimed the lives of at least 1,037 people, the vast majority in al-Haouz, the epicenter and Taroudant provinces.

Another 1,204 people were injured, including 721 in critical condition, the Ministry added.

It also recorded victims in Ouarzazate, Chichaoua, Azilal, and Youssoufia provinces, as well as in Marrakesh, Agadir, and the Casablanca area.

The Interior Ministry said authorities have "mobilized all the necessary resources to intervene and help the affected areas."

The regional blood transfusion center in Marrakesh called on residents to donate blood for those injured.

After the #Marrakesh Regional Blood Transfusion Center called for blood donations for victims of the deadly earthquake, Moroccans answered the call, as the Center was filled with people looking to donate blood.#Morocco #MoroccoEarthquake #المغرب #زلزال_المغرب #زلزال_مراكش… pic.twitter.com/B86f2048lZ
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 9, 2023

The army has set up a field hospital in Moulay Brahim and deployed "significant human and logistical resources" to support search and rescue efforts in al-Haouz, state news agency MAP said.

The USGS PAGER system, which provides preliminary assessments on the impact of earthquakes, issued a "red alert" for economic losses, saying extensive damage is probable.

The earthquake was also felt in neighboring Algeria, where the Algerian Civil Defence said it had not caused any damage or casualties.

In 2004, at least 628 people were killed and 926 injured when a quake hit Al Hoceima in northeastern Morocco, and in 1960 a magnitude 6.7 quake in Agadir killed more than 12,000.

#Moroccans continue their search for missing persons after the powerful #earthquake struck, killing at least 820 people and injuring hundreds.#Morocco #المغرب #زلزال_المغرب #زلزال_مراكش
#تضامنا_مع_المغرب pic.twitter.com/McFe4Ojc0g
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 9, 2023

Morocco & Libya Disasters

Natural disasters have struck North Africa; From a 7 magnitude earthquake that hit the province of al-Haouz, Morocco, to a catastrophic flooding breaking dams and sweeping away homes in Libya. In Morocco, the earthquake has killed more than 2,000 people and caused severe damage in several areas. Rescuers are digging through rubble in the remote mountains of Morocco in a desperate bid to find survivors from the deadliest earthquake to strike the country in decades. While 2,000 people have died and 10,000 are believed missing after Storm Daniel dumped so much rain on Libya’s northeast that two dams collapsed sending water flowing into already inundated areas.