EBN – On Friday night, Morocco was shaken by a rare and devastating earthquake, resulting in extensive loss of life and structures.
The destruction included faraway villages near the Atlas Mountains and the renowned Marrakech city.
The Moroccan government has confirmed that the death toll has risen to an astounding 1,037, with over 1,200 individuals injured.
Rescue Efforts Underway
The number is projected to rise as emergency teams tirelessly go through the debris, and rescue staff reach other areas.
Also, there were distressing videos posted by Moroccans on social media depicting buildings reduced to piles of rubble and dust.
Moreover, parts of the renowned red walls that encompass Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage site, have been damaged.
After the earthquake took place in the city, people took to the streets to seek refuge in anticipation of aftershocks
A town leader near the epicentre of the earthquake conveyed to Moroccan news outlet 2M that numerous residences in nearby communities have suffered a partial or complete collapse. Furthermore, some regions have lost electricity and emergency teams cannot reach them due to closed roads
The Ministry of the Interior stated that most of the destruction happened in rural cities.
Moreover, local media accounts have described roads leading to the mountain region as crowded with cars.
Global Solidarity with Morocco
While hosting two days of G20 discussions in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the incident.
Pope Francis also conveyed his solidarity with the earthquake’s victims.
Indeed, earthquakes are a relatively infrequent occurrence in North Africa.
Lahcen Mhanni, Head of the Seismic Monitoring and Warning Department at the National Institute of Geophysics, noted in an interview with 2M TV that this earthquake stands as the most powerful ever documented in the mountainous region.
In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near the Moroccan city of Agadir killing thousands of people.
