A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Morocco late on Friday, killing at least 296 people and injuring dozens more, according to official sources. The quake also caused widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure in several cities, including the historic Marrakech, a popular tourist destination.
Epicenter near Atlas Mountains
The earthquake struck at 11:00 p.m. local time (22:00 GMT) on Friday, with its epicenter located about 75 kilometers (44 miles) west of Marrakech and 56 kilometers (34 miles) west of the ski resort of Oukaïmedene in the Atlas Mountains, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake was relatively shallow, occurring at a depth of 18.5 kilometers (11.5 miles).
The USGS said that the quake resulted from “oblique-reverse faulting” in the Atlas Mountains, a region where the African and Eurasian tectonic plates converge. Earthquakes in this region are uncommon but not unexpected, the agency added. However, this was the strongest quake to hit Morocco in over 120 years, since a magnitude 6.7 quake in 1901.
Panic and destruction in major cities
The quake was felt across Morocco, from the capital Rabat in the north to Sidi Ifni in the south, and beyond. It triggered panic among residents, who rushed out of their homes and buildings to seek safety in the streets and open spaces. Many people stayed outside overnight, fearing aftershocks or further damage.
The quake also damaged many buildings and structures in major urban centers, especially in Marrakech, the fourth-largest city in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Videos and images shared on social media showed clouds of dust and piles of rubble, as walls collapsed and facades crumbled. Some videos also showed at least one building collapsing completely.
Brahim Himmi, a resident of Marrakech, told Reuters that he saw ambulances leaving the old town and that many building facades were damaged. He said many people were frightened and preferred to sleep outside.
“There’s not too much damage, more panic. We heard screams at the time of the tremor,” a resident of Essaouira, another coastal city affected by the quake, told AFP.
Rescue and relief efforts underway
The Moroccan authorities have not yet released an official statement on the extent of the casualties and damage caused by the quake. However, local media reported that at least 296 people were killed and dozens were injured, citing unnamed officials in the earthquake-hit region.
The Moroccan government has mobilized its emergency services and deployed rescue teams to the affected areas. The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, has ordered an urgent assessment of the situation and instructed the authorities to provide all necessary assistance to the victims.
The international community has also expressed its solidarity and support for Morocco in this difficult time. Several countries, including France, Spain, Algeria, Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, have offered to send humanitarian aid and experts to help with the relief efforts.
The earthquake in Morocco was one of the deadliest natural disasters to strike the country in recent history. The last major earthquake to hit Morocco occurred in 2004, killing over 600 people in the northern coastal city of Al Hoceima.
