Late on Friday, Morocco experienced a catastrophic earthquake in its High Atlas mountains, resulting in a preliminary death toll of at least 296 individuals, along with widespread destruction of buildings. The quake prompted residents of major cities to urgently evacuate their homes in fear.
The Interior Ministry has reported this initial death toll, alongside 153 individuals sustaining injuries. Tragically, the majority of fatalities occurred in remote mountainous regions that posed significant challenges for rescue efforts.
In Marrakech, the nearest major city to the earthquake’s epicenter, reports emerged of collapsed buildings within the historic city, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Local television broadcasts displayed images of a mosque minaret lying in ruins amid crushed vehicles.
Pan-Arab news channel al-Arabiya reported that a single family suffered the loss of five members, according to unnamed local sources.
Montasir Itri, a resident of the mountain village of Asni near the epicenter, revealed widespread damage to houses in the area. He shared the dire situation, stating, “Our neighbors are trapped beneath rubble, and the community is tirelessly striving to rescue them using whatever means are available.”
Further west, near Taroudant, teacher Hamid Afkar recounted his escape from his home, highlighting ongoing aftershocks. “The earth trembled for about 20 seconds. Doors swung open and closed of their own accord as I rushed downstairs from the second floor,” he recounted.
Morocco’s geophysical center reported the earthquake’s magnitude at 7.2, occurring in the Ighil region of the High Atlas. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) slightly adjusted the magnitude to 6.8 and noted its relatively shallow depth at 18.5 km (11.5 miles).
Ighil, a mountainous expanse dotted with small agricultural communities, is situated approximately 70 km (40 miles) southwest of Marrakech. The seismic event transpired just after 11 pm (2200 GMT).
Marrakech, a city renowned for its architectural beauty, witnessed severe damage within its densely populated old city, where structures crumbled. Residents worked diligently by hand to clear debris while awaiting heavy machinery assistance, according to Id Waaziz Hassan, a resident.
Visuals of the medieval city’s fortifications displayed substantial cracks in one section, with portions having collapsed entirely, littering the streets with rubble.
Another Marrakech resident, Brahim Himmi, described ambulances navigating the labyrinthine old town, encountering numerous facades damaged by the quake. Fearful of additional tremors, people opted to stay outdoors.
Houda Hafsi, 43, recounted her experience, saying, “The chandelier fell from the ceiling, and I ran out. I’m still in the street with my children, and we’re frightened.”
Dalila Fahem, another resident, noted structural damage in her home and to her furnishings, emphasizing her good fortune for not having retired to bed when the earthquake struck.
In other parts of Morocco, such as Rabat, situated about 350 km (220 miles) north of Ighil, and the coastal town of Imsouane, approximately 180 km westward, residents also fled their homes, anxious about the possibility of a more potent seismic event, as reported by witnesses for Reuters.
Videos circulated on social media depicted the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, portraying individuals hurriedly evacuating shopping centers, restaurants, and apartment buildings. While the authenticity of these videos requires verification, they underscore the profound fear and chaos that ensued in the wake of this tragic event.
Reuters
