More than 800 dead after devastating earthquake in Morocco IAEA reports several explosions around Zaporizhia nuclear power plant – the night update without photos

A devastating overnight earthquake killed at least 820 people and caused serious damage in Morocco. As the Interior Ministry of the northwest African country announced on Saturday, at least 672 people were injured. In large areas, from the Atlas Mountains to the famous Old Town of Marrakech, buildings were partially completely destroyed and famous cultural monuments were damaged. Panic broke out among the population. Rescue workers frantically searched for survivors under the rubble. However, there were fears that the official death toll would continue to rise as troops reached remote areas.

The earthquake occurred on Friday evening at 11:11 pm local time and lasted for several seconds. According to the American Earthquake Observatory USGS it had a magnitude of 6.8, according to the Helmholtz Center Potsdam 6.9. The epicenter was more than 70 kilometers southwest of Marrakesh in the Atlas Mountains. According to the USGS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 11.5 miles. According to experts, earthquakes at such shallow depths are particularly dangerous.

Federal President Alain Berset (SP) expressed his condolences after the major earthquake in Morocco. On the short message service X, formerly Twitter, he wrote on Saturday morning that Switzerland stood in solidarity with Morocco.

“Our thoughts are with the Moroccans affected by this terrible earthquake,” Berset tweeted. The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (EDA) is currently investigating an offer of aid to the country. The crisis team was activated on Saturday evening.

Photos and videos on social networks showed destroyed buildings and damaged parts of the famous red walls surrounding Marrakech’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on Saturday evening and early morning. Other videos showed people screaming as they left restaurants in the city. Deaths were reported in many provinces. Shortly afterwards there was a 4.9 aftershock. Many stayed outside for fear of further earthquakes. Frightened residents stood in the streets or crouched on sidewalks.

Strongest earthquake in a century

According to the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior, most damage occurs outside the cities. However, some affected areas could not yet be reached on Saturday. The earthquake was felt within a radius of 400 kilometers, Nasser Jabour, head of a department at the National Institute of Geophysics, told Moroccan news agency MAP. It is the first time in a century that such a strong earthquake has been recorded in Morocco.

The quake also woke people from their sleep in Spain and Portugal. It was also felt in Algeria. However, nothing was known about any damage or casualties there. Moroccan news site Hespress reported, citing the Ministry of the Interior, that the armed forces and civil protection used all means to provide aid and assess the damage. The Technical Assistance Organization (THW) also prepared for a possible relief operation on Saturday. But no request for help has yet been received from Morocco, a spokesperson said.

EU offers help

The European Union has offered help to Morocco. “The EU is ready to support Morocco in these difficult moments,” EU Council President Charles Michel wrote on the short message service X (formerly Twitter). The news from the country is terrible.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his condolences. “This is bad news from Morocco,” the SPD politician said on the X platform (formerly Twitter). ‘In these difficult hours, our thoughts are with the victims of the devastating earthquake. Our condolences go out to everyone affected by this natural disaster.” Scholz is currently in the Indian capital New Delhi for the G20 summit.

The FDFA is also considering assistance

The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has activated the crisis team after the devastating earthquake in Morocco on Saturday night. An offer of aid to the country is being examined.

The FDFA has so far no knowledge of possible Swiss victims, according to the short message service X, formerly Twitter. Further clarifications were underway. The Swiss embassy in Rabat is in contact with the responsible local authorities, EDA spokesman Michael Steiner said when requested by the Keystone-SDA news agency.

Earthquakes are relatively rare in North Africa. According to Al Arabiya broadcaster, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck near Agadir in 1960, killing thousands of people. The last major earthquake struck Morocco in 2004 with a magnitude of 6.4. More than 600 people died then. (lion/sda/dpa)