UPDATED SAT, SEP 9 2023
Morocco was hit by a powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake late Friday, resulting in a staggering death toll of at least 1,037 people, with 1,200 others reported injured, according to the country's Interior Ministry. The earthquake struck at around 11 p.m. local time (22:00 GMT), with its epicentre located 75 kilometres (46.6 miles) southeast of Marrakech. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake occurred at a depth of 18.5 km.
Morocco's National Geophysical Institute has declared this earthquake to be the strongest tremor experienced by the North African country in the past century. The devastating impact of this natural disaster has brought back memories of previous major earthquakes in Morocco. The Moroccan government is currently mobilizing all available resources to respond to this devastating event. Emergency services and rescue teams have been deployed to affected areas to search for survivors and provide medical assistance to the injured. The priority now is to provide immediate relief and support to those affected by this tragic event.
The scale of this earthquake's destruction is reminiscent of previous seismic events that have struck Morocco in the past. The country has endured several major earthquakes, including the Agadir earthquake in 1960, which claimed thousands of lives and left a lasting impact on the city. Additionally, the Al Hoceima earthquake in 2004 resulted in significant casualties and displacement.
Reporting by Sophie Valkyrie