Massive earthquake in Central Morocco kills nearly 300, injures many

At least 296 people were killed and several others were injured by a 6.8 magnitude Earthquake that hit central Morocco late at night on Friday.

Preliminary reports from Morocco’s Interior Ministry suggest a death toll of 296 and that 153 have been injured. The US Geological Survey reported a magnitude of 6.8, with its epicentre in the High Atlas Mountains, 71 Km southwest of Marrakesh and at a depth of 18.5 km affecting Morocco and Algeria. The earthquake struck at 22:11 GMT (3:41 AM IST or 23:11 Morocco Standard Time). An aftershock of 4.9 magnitude followed 19 minutes later.

The local media reported that roads leading to the mountains near the epicentre have been blocked with rubble, slowing rescue efforts. Videos have surfaced on social media, showing houses which have been turned to rubble. The earthquake also damaged parts of the famous red wall that surrounds the old city of Marrakesh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Moment of building collapse at ⁦#Morocco⁩ after massive ⁦#earthquake

⁦#Maroc ⁦#moroccosismo ⁦#earthquake ⁦#deprem ⁦#earthquakes ⁦#Sismo#Moroccopic.twitter.com/zXeLEuNVEA

— Updates (@sirfupdate) September 9, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X on Saturday to express his condolences to Morocco. “India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time,” the PM wrote in his post.

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

The German Chancellor Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz also expressed his condolences in an X post.

Das sind schlimme Nachrichten aus #Marokko. In diesen schweren Stunden sind unsere Gedanken bei den Opfern des verheerenden Erdbebens. Unser Mitgefühl gilt allen Betroffenen dieser Naturkatastrophe.

— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) September 9, 2023

Morocco experienced its last major earthquake in 2004, when the Al Hoceima earthquake of 6.3 magnitude killed over 600 people.