MOROCCO woke up this morning to devastating damage after a massive 7.2 magnitude earthquake – making it one of the deadliest disasters the country has seen in more than 120 years.
More than 1,000 people were killed and 1,000 injured after the quake struck shortly after 11pm local time on Friday.
19
Residents evacuate their homes near the epicenter of the earthquake outside MarrakeshCredit: AP
19
Rescuers desperately search for survivors under the rubble Credit: AP
19
A cracked minaret of a mosque stands after the earthquake in the village of Moulay Brahim near MarrakechCredit: AP
19
People mourn in front of the body of a victim who died in the earthquakeCredit: AFP
19
A man stands next to a collapsing hotel after the earthquakeCredit: AP
19
A woman cries in front of a house damaged by the earthquakeCredit: AFP
19
Rescuers search for survivors in a collapsed houseCredit: AFP
People were forced to flee buildings in fear, and those who could not escape were killed as houses collapsed in the earthquake in Morocco.
The earthquake lasted for a few seconds, and 19 minutes later an aftershock of magnitude 4.9 was recorded.
The city of Marrakesh was shaken – but villages in the country’s remote High Atlas mountains endured the brunt of the destruction.
Morocco is also popular with tourists – the country welcomes around 700,000 Britons each year.
One UK tourist caught up in the tragic disaster told The Sun Online: “We are at the resort, everyone has been evacuated from the hotel, property has been damaged”.
They also explained how they were currently being told to stay out due to aftershocks from the deadly quake.
Another British woman whose sister is currently stuck in Marrakesh revealed that the streets are now full of people, while the city’s old houses continue to crumble around her.
“She said that the buildings were shaking and swaying, that the old town was completely destroyed.”
He also said local authorities had advised his sister to prepare for a potential second quake as “rows and rows and rows” of people lined the street hoping to find safety.
The quake’s epicenter was in the High Atlas Mountains, just over 40 miles south of Marrakech, according to the US Geological Survey.
The epicenter was also near Oukaimeden, a popular ski resort, and Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak.
In the village of Amizmiz, near the epicenter, rescuers were picking through the ruins with their bare hands.
“When I felt the ground shaking under my feet and the house tilting, I rushed to get my children out. But my neighbors could not,” said Mohamed Azaw.
“Unfortunately, no one was found alive in that family. The father and son were found dead, and the search is still on for the mother and daughter.”
In the hours after the quake, Morocco’s Interior Ministry said it feared the death toll would continue to rise.
Many of the victims were in Marrakesh and south of it.
Footage from street cameras in Marrakesh showed the moment the ground began to shake, with men suddenly looking back and jumping, and others running for cover into an alley, then fleeing as dust and debris rolled around them.
In Marrakesh, where 13 people were confirmed dead, residents spent the night outdoors – afraid to go home.
Injured people arrived in Marrakesh from the surrounding areas seeking treatment.
Montasir Itri, a resident of Asni village near the epicenter, said most of the houses there were damaged.
“Our neighbors are under the rubble and people are working hard to save them using the available resources in the village,” he said.
Further west, near Taroudant, teacher Hamid Afkar said he ran from his house and felt the aftershocks.
“The ground shook for about 20 seconds. The door was opening and closing on its own as I rushed down from the second floor,” he said.
In Marrakesh, residents described desperate scenes as people fled for safety.
“I still can’t sleep in the house because of the shock, but also because the old city is made up of old houses,” said Jaouhari Mohamed, a resident of the old city.
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the UK was providing support to British nationals following the earthquake.
“Devastating news of a strong earthquake near Marrakesh, Morocco.
“The UK continues to support British nationals in the region. We stand ready to help our Moroccan friends in any way we can”.
There are also smaller mountain towns closer to the epicenter that officials have yet to share news about.
19
Buildings have been reduced to rubble across MoroccoCredit: AFP
19
A family sits in front of their house damaged by the earthquakeCredit: AP
19
More than 1,000 people were injured in the earthquakeCredit: AP
19
A cat walks through the ruins Credit: AP
19
After a strong earthquake, there was a lot of damage in the old mosque in Marrakesh. Credit: Reuters
19
Residents were seen fleeing their crumbling homes carrying their belongings Credit: AFP
19
Local media reported that rescue efforts were slowed by traffic jams on roads as streets around the epicenter were blocked by fallen rock Credit: Reuters
World leaders around the world offered their support to Morocco, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi writing on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Extremely saddened by the loss of life in the earthquake in Morocco.
“In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco.
“Condolences to those who lost their loved ones, may the injured recover as soon as possible.
“India is ready to offer all possible help to Morocco at this difficult time”.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also expressed his condolences to the relatives of the earthquake victims.
“All my solidarity and support to the people of Morocco after this terrible earthquake… Spain is with the victims of this tragedy and their families,” he wrote on X.
Buildings and historic landmarks have been reduced to rubble with photos showing bricks covered in cars and streets.
Parts of the red walls surrounding the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, were damaged, according to CBS News.
However, the ministry says that most of the damage was recorded outside the settlement.
Officials continue to examine the extent of the destruction.
People were seen running from restaurants and buildings as the quake hit.
“I could see the buildings moving,” Abdelhak El Amrani told Agence France-Presse.
“We don’t necessarily have reflexes for this kind of situation. Then I went outside and there were a lot of people there. Everyone was in shock and panic.
– The children were crying, and the parents were distraught.
Crowds stood in the street instead of retreating inside in case it wasn’t safe.
Most of the houses in the mountain village of Asni near the epicenter were damaged, Montasir Itri, a local resident, told Reuters.
“Our neighbors are under the rubble and people are working hard to save them using the available resources in the village,” he said.
Tremors were also felt further west near Taroudant, where a resident said he was forced to leave his home as aftershocks followed the initial quake, Reuters reports.
“The ground shook for about 20 seconds. The door was opening and closing on its own as I rushed down the stairs from the second floor,” teacher Hamid Afkar told Reuters.
Meanwhile, local media reported that rescue efforts were slowed by traffic jams on roads leading into the mountainous area as streets around the epicenter were blocked by fallen rocks.
The earthquake, a relatively rare occurrence in North Africa, was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria.
About 20 million people were likely to feel tremors from the earthquake in Morocco, with more than 2 million experiencing strong to very strong tremors, earthquake geologist Wendy Bohon reported on X, citing the US Geological Survey’s Pager system.
The US Geological Survey’s Pager system, which provides preliminary estimates of the quake’s impact, has also now issued a red alert for economic losses, saying extensive damage is likely and the disaster will be widespread.
Past events with this alert level required a national or international response, according to the US government agency.
Moroccan tourism officials have predicted that the number of British tourists visiting the country is likely to reach one million in the coming years, as the UK is the kingdom’s second largest source of tourists after France.
Morocco experienced another devastating earthquake in 2004, when at least 628 people were killed and 926 injured in Al Hoceima in the northeastern part of the country.
And in 1980, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck neighboring Algeria, killing 2,500 and leaving 300,000 homeless.
19
A British woman whose sister stayed in Marrakesh said her hotel was falling apart after the earthquakeCredit: collects
19
Resorts were evacuated and people were advised to stand outside Credit: collects
19
People waited in the streets in case it was not safe to return to their homes after the earthquakeCredit: AFP
19
Bricks and dust covered cars and roads as officials were still assessing the damageCredit: Reuters
19
Crowds surround a vehicle covered in dust Credit: Reuters
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education