The death toll for the Morocco earthquake has risen to 632, with 329 people injured, state-run TV station said, citing the Ministry of Interior.
More than 50 people are in critical condition after a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake rattled the north African country on Friday night.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said that this was the strongest tremor to hit that part of the North African nation in more than a century. The quake hit 71 kilometres southwest of Marrakesh at a depth of 18.5 kilometers at 11:11 pm (local time). The earthquake was also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca and Essaouira.
People look at debris in the aftermath of an earthquake in Marrakech, Morocco September 9. (Reuters)
The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces said that residents were still vulnerable to aftershocks. “We remind you of the need to exercise caution and take safety measures due to the risk of aftershocks,” the military wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
On Saturday, messages of support began to roll in from around the world on Saturday. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz posted condolences on X. A UN spokesperson said that “the United Nations is ready to assist the government of Morocco in its efforts to assist the impacted population.”
People gather on a street in Casablanca, following a powerful earthquake in Morocco, September 9. (Reuters)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to express his deep sorrow for the lives lost due to the devastating earthquake. He conveyed his condolences to the affected families and offered his thoughts and support to the people of the North African country during this tragic time.
“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 Morocco in this difficult time,” PM Modi wrote on X.
Morocco experiences frequent earthquakes in its northern region due to its position between the African and Eurasian plates. In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near the Moroccan city of Agadir and caused thousands of deaths. The Agadir quake prompted changes in construction rules in Morocco, but many buildings, especially rural homes, are not built to withstand such tremors. In 2004, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near the Mediterranean coastal city of Al Hoceima left more than 600 dead. Friday’s quake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria
