Morocco experienced a catastrophic disaster as a near-7 magnitude earthquake struck, claiming the lives of over 1,000 people and leaving more than 1,200 injured. The severity of the situation is exacerbated by the fact that hundreds of those injured are in critical condition, as reported by the country’s armed forces.
Late on Friday night, the High Atlas mountains became the epicenter of this devastating quake, with the epicenter located approximately 40 miles (70km) south of Marrakech in the Ighil area. The initial shock, registering at 6.8 magnitude, struck at 11:11 p.m. local time, causing prolonged shaking. However, Morocco’s National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network later revised the magnitude to 7.2, underlining the enormity of the event.
Only 19 minutes after the initial earthquake, a 4.9-magnitude aftershock added to the turmoil, according to the US Geological Survey.
Disturbing videos have emerged, showing numerous buildings reduced to rubble and significant damage to Marrakech’s iconic red walls. The Old City of Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was also affected, with images depicting smashed cars and debris scattered throughout. The World Health Organization has reported that the earthquake affected 300,000 people in Marrakech and its surrounding areas.
Marrakech, known for its rich cultural heritage and economic significance, is a favored destination for tourists. This city, home to approximately 840,000 residents, is just 72 kilometers (44.7 miles) northeast of the High Atlas mountains, where the earthquake originated.
Closer to the epicenter, a significant portion of the casualties was recorded in the province of Al Haouz. The country’s interior ministry has confirmed that 394 out of the 820 reported deaths occurred in this region.
The earthquake that shook Morocco’s High Atlas mountains on that fateful Friday night was the most powerful to hit within a 500-kilometer radius (about 310 miles) in over a century, as per the US Geological Survey. With a magnitude of 6.8, it falls under the “strong” category on the magnitude scale. Such sizable earthquakes are uncommon in this region, though not entirely unexpected. The USGS data reveals that since 1900, there have been nine earthquakes with a magnitude of 5 or higher, but none had exceeded a magnitude of 6. It’s essential to note that each number increase on the magnitude scale represents a staggering 32-fold increase in seismic strength.
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