Death toll rises to more than 1,000 after devastating earthquake in Morocco Rain record in Hong Kong: “Extreme conditions” paralyze parts of the city

After the devastating earthquake in Morocco, the number of deaths has risen to 1,037, the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior announced. More than 1,200 other 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) decided on Saturday morning to offer assistance to Morocco. The details are still being worked out. There are currently no indications of Swiss casualties in the earthquake zone.

The assistance offered is tailored to local needs. The FDFA wrote in a statement on Saturday afternoon that it is in regular contact with the Swiss embassy in Rabat and the responsible authorities in Morocco.

Images and videos on social networks showed destroyed buildings and damaged parts of the famous red walls surrounding Marrakech’s UNESCO World Heritage Old Town 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.

Help offers from all over the world

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.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also expressed his condolences:

US President Joe Biden said he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Morocco. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this terrible tragedy,” the White House said in a statement on Saturday. His government is in contact with the Moroccan authorities. “The United States stands with Morocco and my friend King Mohammed VI. at this difficult moment,” Biden wrote. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States is ready to provide Morocco with “all necessary support” in dealing with the disaster.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who could not attend the summit due to a corona infection, assured Morocco of his country’s solidarity. “Spain supports the victims and their families of this tragedy,” the socialist wrote on platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa was also appalled. “The earthquake in Morocco saddens us deeply and I express our condolences to His Majesty the King, the families of the victims and the entire Moroccan people, our neighbors,” he wrote on X. Portuguese Foreign Minister Teresa Gouveia offered the aid from her country in a message “as part of civil protection”, as the newspaper “Público” reported, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lisbon.

Not a typical earthquake area

Israel also wants to provide humanitarian aid to Morocco and send search parties after the major earthquake. All government authorities have been ordered to prepare to send an aid delegation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Saturday. The Israeli people support the Moroccan people “in this difficult hour,” Netanyahu said. Israeli media also reported that Defense Minister Joav Galant had ordered the army to prepare to send search and rescue units.

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his condolences to the King of Morocco. The Pope expressed his deep sadness in a letter of condolence.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also expressed his condolences. “We support our Moroccan brothers and sisters with all means on this difficult day,” Erdogan wrote on Platform. More than 50,000 people died.

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)