Morocco woke up to a shocking tragedy on Saturday morning. A powerful earthquake struck the kingdom during the night from Friday to Saturday, claiming the lives of over a thousand people and leaving 672 injured, including 205 in critical condition, as reported by the Ministry of Interior in an official statement.
The quake sent shockwaves through several cities, causing massive destruction and spreading fear among the population. Many residents sought refuge in the streets, spending the night fearing the collapse of their buildings. Rescue efforts are now underway in the affected areas, which are sometimes hard to reach. "20 Minutes" provides an overview of this catastrophe, with the final toll still uncertain.
A Magnitude 7 Earthquake on the Richter Scale
The Moroccan Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST) measured the earthquake's magnitude at 7, pinpointing the epicentre in the province of Al-Haouz, southwest of the city of Marrakech, a popular destination for foreign tourists. The seismic shock occurred at 23:11 local time (22:11 GMT), according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
A Heavy Human Toll
The earthquake has claimed the lives of 1,037 people and left 672 injured, including 205 in critical condition, as stated by the Ministry of Interior in an official statement. An earlier report indicated 632 deaths and 329 injuries.
More than a third of the fatalities (394) were recorded in Al-Haouz, the epicenter of the earthquake, and in Taroudant (271) further south, according to the same source.
Significant Damage
Images circulated in local media and on social networks show that the earthquake caused substantial damage in several cities. Numerous buildings collapsed, and cars were crushed by landslides.
In Marrakech, a part of a minaret collapsed onto the famous Jemaa el-Fna square. The narrow streets of the medina were littered with debris, and old buildings collapsed. The tremor was also felt in Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, and Essaouira, sowing panic among the population.
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