Strong earthquake near Marrakesh kills around 2,000
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Moroccan inhabitants fled their houses in fear after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake killed at least 2,012 people, injured more than 2,059, and damaged old buildings.
As officials declared three days of national mourning after the deadliest quake in decades, troops and emergency services raced to isolated mountain villages, the epicentre, where casualties are still thought trapped.
Montasir Itri, a mountain villager in Asni near the epicentre, said most houses were destroyed. He stated, “Our neighbours are under the rubble and people are working hard to rescue them using available means in the village.
The nearest significant city to the epicentre, Marrakesh, reported broken buildings in the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Local television showed a mosque minaret collapsed on damaged cars.
The Interior Ministry encouraged calm after the quake rocked Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Marrakesh, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant in a televised statement.
The USGS reported that the temblor occurred shortly after 11pm local time (22:00 GMT) on Friday.
USGS estimates the epicentre was in the Atlas Mountains 75km (44 miles) from Morocco’s fourth largest city, Marrakesh.
Rescuers frantically searched wrecked buildings for survivors.
The interior ministry stated that the Royal Armed Forces, local authorities, security agencies, and civil protection are gathering all resources to act, provide help, and assess damage.
Marrakesh journalist Noureddine Bazine called it a “horrific night”.
Reference: Aljazeera
