More than 2,000 dead as 6.8 powerful earthquake hits Morocco
The US Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 11:11 pm Morocco's National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network measured it at 7 on the Richter scale.
Morocco's government said the death toll in a rare, powerful earthquake around Marrakech jumped on Saturday to 2,000 people dead and 2,059 other injured as authorities assess the damage. Much like other earthquakes, casualty figures appear to be rising as the extent becomes more clear in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
The earthquake left buildings in major cities damaged and sent panicked people rushing into the streets and alleyways from Rabat to Marrakech.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 11:11 pm Morocco's National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network measured it at 7 on the Richter scale. According to the USGS, the earthquake was the strongest to hit that part of the North African nation in over a century.
Variations in early measurements are common, although either reading would be Morocco's strongest since 1960, when a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck near Agadir and caused thousands of deaths.
The epicentre of Friday's tremor was high in the Atlas Mountains south of Marrakech and west of Oukaimeden, a popular Moroccan ski resort. It was also near Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. Moroccans posted videos showing some buildings turned to rubble. Tourists and others posted videos of people evacuating restaurants in Marrakech as throbbing club music played.
Parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city in Marrakesh, a UNESCO World Heritage site, have also been damaged.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that India is ready to offer all possible assistance to the country.
Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023
With inputs from PTI and AP
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First Published: Sept 9, 2023 7:12 AM IST
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