On a fateful Friday night in Morocco, the earth trembled beneath the weight of a formidable 6.8-magnitude earthquake, leaving in its tragic wake a toll of no less than 296 lives lost, as reported by Morocco’s Interior Ministry. The seismic event struck precisely at 11:11 p.m. local time, as per data from the U.S. Geological Survey, with the ground quivering for several harrowing seconds.
Notably, Morocco’s own National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network gauged the earthquake’s might at a staggering 7 on the Richter scale, emphasizing the immense force it unleashed. In the aftermath of this calamitous occurrence, the U.S. agency documented a 4.9-magnitude aftershock, a mere 19 minutes later, further underscoring the vulnerability of the region to subsequent seismic disturbances.
About 632 people died and 329 were injured
Morocco’s Interior Ministry reported a grim toll following the late Friday night earthquake, with approximately 632 lives tragically lost and another 329 individuals suffering injuries.
The hardest-hit regions were Marrakech and the surrounding provinces near the epicenter. As rescue efforts reach remote areas, authorities anticipate that these numbers may sadly increase.
Meanwhile, Moroccan media conveyed concerns about the condition of Marrakech’s iconic 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque, a cherished city landmark. Details regarding the extent of the damage remain unclear at this time, as reported by the Associated Press.
UNITED nation on this catastrophe
In response to the earthquake that struck Morocco late Friday night, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep sorrow, as conveyed in a statement issued by the UN on Saturday morning. “The Secretary-General was profoundly saddened by the news of the earthquake that struck Morocco yesterday, resulting in significant loss of life,” the statement noted. “He stands in full solidarity with the Moroccan government and its people during these trying times.
The Secretary-General says the United Nations is prepared to lend assistance to the Moroccan government as they work to aid those impacted by this tragedy.
Simultaneously, the U.S. embassy in Morocco urged American citizens to exercise caution over the next 24 hours, anticipating potential additional earthquakes or aftershocks. They also emphasized the importance of adhering to law enforcement instructions regarding road closures and traffic disruptions.
A strong 6.8-magnitude earthquake hits Morocco
Late Friday night, a devastating 6.8-magnitude earthquake wreaked havoc in Marrakech, Morocco, claiming the lives of at least 296 individuals, as reported by Morocco’s Interior Ministry.
This seismic upheaval occurred within the heart of the Moroccan High Atlas Mountain range, approximately 75 kilometers (46 miles) southeast of Marrakech, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Remarkably, this event marked the most powerful earthquake to impact the region in over a century, as confirmed by the USGS.