Morocco: 632 lives snuffed out by devastating earthquake
A devastating earthquake measuring 7 degrees on the Richter scale struck Morocco on the night of Friday 8 to Saturday 9 September, killing at least 632 people, according to a provisional official toll. The epicentre of the earthquake was in the province of Al-Haouz, south-west of Marrakech, a popular tourist destination for foreigners.
The ministry announced that the provinces and municipalities of Al-Haouz, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant were hard hit, with 329 people injured and hospitalised.
Images broadcast by the media and on social networks showed extensive damage, including the collapse of part of a minaret on the Place Jemaa el-Fna, a landmark in Marrakech, which left two people injured.
The tremor was felt in several cities, including Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir and Essaouira, causing panic.
Images showed debris from houses in Marrakech’s medina and cars crushed by stones.
Witnesses described the terrifying experience of the earthquake, with residents fleeing into the streets for fear of their homes collapsing. Some described the situation as «total chaos» and a «catastrophe».
It should be noted that this earthquake is one of the most powerful to have hit Morocco, recalling the 2004 tragedy in the province of Al Hoceima and the devastating 1960 earthquake in Agadir, which claimed the lives of a large number of people.
Rayan Issab
