In the wake of a catastrophic earthquake in Morocco, the nation grapples with the grim reality of a rising death toll that has now surpassed 2,000 lives lost. The aftermath of this seismic catastrophe has not only claimed the lives of thousands but has also left a staggering 2,059 individuals injured, with over 1,200 facing severe injuries, as reported by the country’s interior ministry.
The repercussions of this devastating earthquake are expected to reverberate for years, with the Red Cross estimating that the rebuilding and recovery process may span several years. The epicenter of this tremor was situated in the High Atlas mountains, striking late on a fateful Friday night, with the Ighil area, approximately 40 miles (70 km) south of Marrakech, bearing the brunt of its force.
Hossam Elsharkawi, the Red Cross Middle East and North Africa director, somberly stated, “This will not be a week or two response, as our region has seen in the big Syria/Türkiye earthquake; again, we are looking at many months, if not several years of response.”
Montasir Itri, a resident of the village of Asni, near the earthquake’s epicenter, recounted the devastation, revealing that most houses in the area had suffered damage. He shared stories of neighbors trapped under rubble, with brave individuals in the village working tirelessly to rescue them with the limited resources at their disposal.
The medical infrastructure in Marrakesh has been overwhelmed by an influx of injured individuals, prompting authorities to issue an urgent call for blood donations. Morocco’s interior ministry has provided a grim account of the widespread impact, revealing casualties in the provinces and municipalities of al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant. The damage is particularly severe in parts of the Medina, a Unesco World Heritage site, where some buildings have collapsed.
The historic Kutubiyya mosque, a major tourist attraction near the old city’s main square, is shrouded in dust, and the iconic Jemaa el Fnaa mosque has suffered partial collapse.
Speaking to BBC, resident Rashid Ben Arabi described the chaotic scene in Marrakesh, where he and his family hastily left their home amid darkness and a power outage. As panic gripped the city, residents fled in search of safety. Rashid’s harrowing journey led him to the town of Amizmiz, where he anxiously confirmed the safety of his parents.
For many, the night was spent outdoors, following the Moroccan government’s cautionary advice not to return to their homes due to the looming threat of severe aftershocks. Indeed, a 4.9-magnitude aftershock struck just 19 minutes after the initial earthquake, further exacerbating the anxiety and uncertainty.
While the extent of the devastation in mountain villages remains largely unknown, the widespread impact of this earthquake paints a grim picture of the challenges ahead for Morocco as it embarks on a long and arduous journey toward recovery.
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Devastating Earthquake Claims Over 1,000 Lives in Morocco
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