Morocco has experienced its deadliest earthquake in decades, resulting in the tragic loss of over 2,000 lives, as confirmed by authorities on Saturday. The aftermath of this devastating seismic event has spurred a monumental effort by troops and emergency services to reach the far-flung mountainous villages, where there are concerns that additional victims may remain trapped under debris and rubble.
In a poignant response to this catastrophic event, the authorities declared a somber three-day period of national mourning, reflecting the gravity of the situation. However, the magnitude of the destruction caused by the earthquake has raised concerns, with the Red Cross cautioning that the arduous process of rebuilding and recovery may span not just months but potentially years.
The seismic event, registering at a formidable 6.8 magnitude, struck late in the evening on Friday, originating in a remote mountainous region situated approximately 72 kilometers (45 miles) southwest of the picturesque tourist destination, Marrakesh, as reported by the US Geological Survey. The far-reaching impact of the earthquake extended to coastal cities like Rabat, Casablanca, and Essaouira, where strong tremors triggered widespread damage and left residents and tourists in a state of terror. Ghannou Najem, an elderly Casablanca resident who happened to be visiting Marrakesh during the quake, recounted the horrifying experience, saying, "I was nearly asleep when I heard the doors and the shutters banging. I went outside in a panic. I thought I was going to die alone."
In the remote village of Tafeghaghte, situated near the epicenter of the earthquake, the devastation was heart-wrenching. Virtually no structures remained intact, as the traditional clay bricks used by the local Berber population proved insufficient against the force of this rare earthquake. As soldiers tirelessly sifted through the debris in search of survivors, the grieving community gathered at the cemetery to bid a sorrowful farewell to approximately 70 of their fellow villagers, their voices echoing with lamentation.
This seismic event stands as the most potent earthquake ever recorded within the North African nation, with experts characterizing it as the most significant quake in the region in more than a century, spanning more than 120 years. Bill McGuire, a professor emeritus at the University College London in Britain, offered insight into the dire consequences of earthquakes in regions unaccustomed to such natural disasters, explaining that the lack of robust construction practices often results in the collapse of numerous structures, leading to a high casualty count.
The most recent update from the interior ministry provided late on Saturday, reported a grim toll, with over 2,012 lives lost, predominantly in the Al-Haouz region, which was the epicenter of the earthquake, and in the Taroudant provinces. Furthermore, another 2,059 individuals suffered injuries, with a staggering 1,404 classified as being in critical condition, as per the ministry's data.
Colonel Hicham Choukri, overseeing relief operations for the civil defense, described the situation as "an exceptional emergency" due to the epicenter's location and the earthquake's strength.
In response to this heartrending disaster, King Mohammed VI presided over a meeting, during which it was decided to observe three days of national mourning. Public buildings throughout the nation were directed to fly flags at half-mast as a sign of respect and solidarity.
The impact of the earthquake left an indelible mark on the psyche of survivors, with Faisal Badour, an engineer residing in Marrakesh, recounting the experience of feeling the quake multiple times within his own building. He described the ongoing fear and trauma among families, some of whom were still sleeping outdoors due to their apprehensions about potential aftershocks. The cacophony of screams and cries that permeated the night was, according to Badour, "unbearable."
In the historic city of Marrakesh, iconic landmarks suffered damage, with social media footage capturing a minaret partially collapsed on Jemaa el-Fna square. Hundreds of individuals sought refuge in the square, electing to spend the night there, fearing the possibility of further tremors. Some had blankets, while others lay on the ground, seeking solace amidst the chaos.
Houda Outassaf, a local resident deeply affected by the disaster, expressed her shock at the sudden upheaval of the earth beneath her feet, along with the heartbreaking loss of family members. "I have at least 10 members of my family who died... I can hardly believe it, as I was with them no more than two days ago," she lamented.
The regional blood transfusion center in Marrakesh issued a plea to residents for blood donations to aid the injured, highlighting the pressing need for support and medical assistance.
The earthquake's impact transcended borders, eliciting condolences and offers of assistance from foreign leaders, including Israel, which normalized relations with Morocco in 2020. Algeria, a neighboring country and regional rival, announced the suspension of its two-year-old ban on all Moroccan flights through its airspace to facilitate the delivery of aid and medical evacuations.
US President Joe Biden expressed deep sadness over the loss of life and the widespread devastation, while Chinese leader Xi Jinping conveyed his condolences and hoped for Morocco's resilience in the face of this disaster.
Historically, Morocco has faced significant seismic events, with the 2004 Al Hoceima earthquake resulting in the loss of at least 628 lives and injuring 926 individuals. Additionally, in 1960, a powerful 6.7-magnitude earthquake in Agadir claimed the lives of more than 12,000 people. Meanwhile, the 7.3-magnitude El Asnam earthquake in Algeria in 1980 led to the tragic demise of 2,500 individuals and rendered over 300,000 homeless.
