Families in Marrakesh huddled into the early hours of Sunday, spending a second night on the streets as Morocco’s deadliest earthquake in more than half a century left many fearing their homes were no longer safe to return to.
The death toll from the strong earthquake has risen to 2,122, with more than 2,000 others injured, according to the latest update from the country’s Interior Ministry released on Saturday.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake shook Morocco’s High Atlas mountain range shortly after 11 p.m. local time on Friday at a relatively shallow depth of 18.5 kilometers with the epicenter located about 72 kilometers southwest of Marrakesh, a city of some 840,000 people and a popular tourist destination.
Tremors were also reportedly felt in the capital Rabat, as well as the coastal cities of Casablanca and Essaouira. The earthquake was also felt in neighboring Algeria, where the Algerian Civil Defense said it had not caused any damage or casualties.
The earthquake killed people in the provinces and municipalities of al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant, Morocco’s Interior Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry further noted that authorities have “mobilized all the necessary resources to intervene and help the affected areas.”
After a meeting chaired by King Mohammed VI of Morocco, the palace announced three days of national mourning, with flags to fly at half-mast on all public buildings.
World leaders and diplomats expressed condolences and offered their support for Morocco after the devastating earthquake.
(Source: Agencies)
