Rescuers search for survivors trapped under rubble as Morocco hit by deadly quake
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At least 632 people have died and 329 injured in Morocco after an earthquake struck near the historic Marrakech city, according to state-run television.
The death toll has surged from the initial 296 figure that was reported by the interior ministry earlier today.
The tremor struck late Friday night and had an initial 6.8 magnitude when it hit at 11.11pm local time, with shaking that lasted several seconds. Morocco’s National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network, however, said the earthqauke struck at a magnitude of 7.2 on the Richter scale.
The epicentre of the earthquake was in the Ighil area of the High Atlas mountains, said the agency. A 4.9-magnitude aftershock was reported just 19 minutes after the earthquake, according to the US Geological Survey.
Most of the deaths have occurred in mountainous areas that are hard to reach, the interior ministry said earlier.
Videos have emerged of several buildings being reduced to rubble and have left parts of the famous red walls in Marrakech damaged.
Some buildings in the old city, a Unesco World Heritage site, with photos of smashed cars and rubble all over emerging.
Death toll surges after powerful tremor strikes near Marrakech in one of strongest quakes ever felt in years in country
The death toll from the earthquake that struck near Marrakech in Morocco late Friday night has surged, in what is one of the most powerful tremors ever faced by the country in many years.
The toll went up to at least 632 dead and 329 injured, reported state television. A local official earlier said most deaths were in mountain areas that were hard to reach.
The epicentre of the quake was in the High Atlas mountains, according to the country’s National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network.
In 1960, an earthquake in the country had led to the deaths of thousands of people.
Geologists explain what made Morocco earthquake so devastating
About 20 million people may have likely felt shaking from the earthquake in Morocco, with over 2 million experiencing strong to very strong shaking, earthquake geologist Wendy Bohon posted on X, formerly Twitter, citing the US Geological Survey’s Pager system.
The Pager system uses initial information about quakes along with maps of population density to evaluate the scale of damage from tremors.
Earthquake geologists Judith Hubbard and Kyle Bradley wrote in a blog post that the latest quake is also the largest in magnitude earthquake ever recorded in the country, with a previous similarly large quake in the region recorded in 1624 AD near Fez, in the northeast part of Morocco.
While scientific models of plate tectonic movements in many parts of the world reflect the reality of their boundary zones “quite well”, researchers said “this is not the case in Morocco”, adding that here the boundary is “highly complex with multiple zones of active deformation”.
Previous research also estimates that quakes that strike at night when people are asleep in their homes tend to have more causalities.
Professor Joanna Faure Walker, a geologist from the University College London, also noted that the death toll figures are likely to increase significantly, especially since the quake struck at night.
“When an earthquake occurs at night, people can be particularly vulnerable as getting out of their homes and navigating rubbles and debris in the dark adds to risk of injury and getting trapped. The early death toll figures are likely to increase significantly as early information is limited and rescue efforts are ongoing,” Dr Walker said in a statement.
Main airport in worst-hit Moroccan city remains operational
The Marrakech airport remains open and operating after a powerful earthquake near the city killed over 600, The Independent has learned.
Flights continue to arrive at and depart from the main international airport in the area worst hit by the earthquake, Marrakech Menara.
The airport’s morning operations began with the usual Royal Air Maroc flight to Casablanca, followed by departures on Air France, Ryanair, Transavia, and Tui Airways to a number of French airports.
Ryanair flights from Porto and Marseille landed during the morning.
However, two of the airline’s flights from Marrakech to Brussels and Beauvais in northern France have been cancelled.
A large number of UK flights arrived in the city on Friday, including British Airways, easyJet and Tui from London Gatwick, easyJet from Luton, Ryanair from London, as well as Stansted and Tui from Birmingham and Manchester.
The return legs also departed normally.
Flights to the city from UK airports are also scheduled for Saturday with British Airways leaving from London Heathrow, easyJet from Gatwick, Ryanair from Manchester and Stansted (two flights), and Wizz Air from Gatwick.
Worst affected parts of Morocco earthquake
The old city of Marrakech and its surrounding areas are the worst affected by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake, pointed out local reports.
Some buildings in the area have been reduced to rubble, with hospitals also being evacuated.
Homes in the region of Talat N’Yaaqoub near the epicentre have also been either partially or completely demolished, the town’s head Abderrahim Ait Daoud said.
Tremors hit the provinces of Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Marrakech, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant, according to Morocco’s interior ministry, which has urged residents to remain calm.
“Our neighbours are under the rubble and people are working hard to rescue them using available means in the village,” a resident of the Asni village near the epicentre, told Reuters.
In photos: Powerful earthquake leaves over 600 dead, upends lives and reduces buildings to debris
The earthquake that struck Morocco yesterday night has killed hundreds and damaged buildings from the historic city of Marrakech to villages in the Atlas Mountains.
A woman reacts standing in front of her earthquake-damaged house in the old city in Marrakesh on 9 September
A man walks with his belongings through the rubble in an alleyway in the earthquake-damaged old city in Marrakesh
Residents take shelter outside closed shops
Civil protection members search for survivors near rubble, following an earthquake, in Chichaoua, Morocco
Watch: Rescuers look for survivors trapped under rubble
The powerful quake of magnitude 7.2 that struck Morocco yesterday night has led to the death of over 600, injuring more than 300 people.
As with most earthquakes of such magnitude, the death toll could increase further as many remain trapped under debris.
Videos posted on social media show several buildings reduced to rubble with smashed cars and vehicles covered in dust showing the scale of the damage.
Historic buildings damaged in old city Marrakech
In the aftermath of the earthquake, several historic buildings have been found to be damaged in the old city of Marrakech, Moroccan local media reports.
The 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque, one of the city’s famous landmarks, has suffered damage along with its 69m-long (226ft) minaret.
Videos posted on social media show the city’s famous red walls – a Unesco World Heritage site – also being damaged by the devastating quake that has claimed hundreds of lives.
Several buildings in the Al Haouz province, known for its scenic landscapes and villages built into mountainsides, have also been brought down by the tremors.
'Exercise caution': Countries issue advisory for travel to Morocco
Following the earthquake in Morocco that originated 60 miles southwest of the old city of Marrakech, several embassies have issued travel advisories to its citizens in the North African country.
The US Embassy in Morocco has advised American citizens to “exercise caution” for the next 24 hours in case of additional earthquakes or aftershocks.
“A tsunami warning will also be in effect for coastal areas,” the embassy said.
“Adhere to police instructions regarding road closures or traffic disruptions,” it added.
The UK embassy has also advised travelers to follow local media and safety instructions from local authorities.
India said it is ready to extend assistance to Morocco, advising its nationals to call the regional helpline for support.
Pakistan's PM expresses condolences for victims: 'Our hearts ache for those affected'
Pakistan’s interim prime minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar tweeted his support for Morocco where the devastating earthquake has claimed over 600 lives.
“Our hearts ache for those affected by the severe earthquake in Morocco. Pakistan extends its hand in unity and support to Morocco in this trying time,” Mr Kakar said on X, formerly Twitter.
Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his condolences on X.
“In these trying times, we stand in solidarity with the people of Morocco. Special prayers for the bereaved families and those injured and trapped under the rubble,” Mr Sharif said.
EU says it is 'ready to provide' any assistance to Morocco
The European Union’s Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič tweeted that its emergency response coordination centre is closely monitoring the situation in Morocco where a powerful earthquake has led to the death over 600 people.
“Central Morocco has been hit by a devastating earthquake taking a heavy toll on human life,” Mr Lenarcic said.
Morocco’s interior ministry said it has “mobilised all the necessary resources to intervene and help the affected areas”.
“We stand ready to provide any assistance necessary if requested,” Mr Lenarcic added.
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2023-09-09 08:57:43Z
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