Parts of Morocco were shaken by a powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake overnight. According to government data, at least 632 people died and more than 150 were taken to hospitals. The extent of the damage is still unclear.
At least 632 people died in a strong earthquake in Morocco. The country’s Ministry of Interior announced this on Saturday morning. More than 150 injured people were taken to hospitals for treatment. Most of the damage occurred outside cities. Images and videos on social media show destroyed buildings in cities and people sitting in the streets. According to media reports, historic landmarks were also damaged.
There are currently around 215 Austrians abroad in Morocco
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday morning that there is currently no information about those affected in Austria. However, about 30 people are currently registered to travel, he said. An employee at the Austrian embassy in Rabat was already on his way to the particularly hard-hit crisis zone of Marrakech, it was said. According to the ministry, there are currently around 215 Austrians abroad in Morocco. “They were contacted via text message and email that evening and are currently being called by the embassy,” a spokeswoman said. In this context, the ministry also mentioned the on-call service (+43 90115 4411), which operates 24 hours a day.
It is currently unclear whether Austria will send a relief mission. The federal government was “naturally prepared to provide Morocco with the best possible support”, it was announced. However, no request for help has been received yet. This occurs in coordination with EU partner nations. In this context, the ministry also expressed its dismay at the earthquake. “In these difficult times, our thoughts are with the people affected, their families and the rescue teams.” It was also announced that Economy Minister Martin Kocher (ÖVP) would postpone his planned trip to Morocco from Sunday to Tuesday.
Images and videos on social media show destroyed buildings in cities and people sitting in the streets. According to media reports, historic landmarks were also damaged. The US Earthquake Observatory (USGS) said the quake had a magnitude of 6.8 and occurred at a depth of 18.5 kilometers, a good 70 kilometers southwest of Marrakech and 60 kilometers northeast of the city of Taroudant. The epicenter was in the Atlas Mountains. The Helmholtz Center Potsdam geophone gave the magnitude of the earthquake as 6.9. Shortly thereafter, US authorities reported an aftershock with a magnitude of 4.9.
People panic
According to eyewitnesses, the earthquake in Marrakech, Agadir and other cities caused panic among residents. As reported by the newspaper “Le Matin”, the earthquake was also felt in Rabat and Casablanca.
Moroccans published videos showing buildings reduced to rubble and damaged parts of the famous red walls that surround the Old City of Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other videos show people screaming leaving restaurants in the city. The earthquake was also felt in Portugal and Algeria.
Noticeable within a radius of 400 kilometers
Nasser Jabour, head of department at the National Institute of Geophysics, confirmed that the aftershocks were less severe. The earthquake was felt within a radius of 400 kilometers, he told Moroccan news agency MAP. It is the first time in a century that such a strong earthquake has been recorded in Morocco.
Fearing retorts, people gather in the streets. Photo by Faisal Baddour/AFPTV/AFP
Earthquakes in North Africa are relatively rare. In 1960, according to broadcaster Al Arabiya, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Agadir, killing thousands of people.
EU offers help
The European Union, however, offered help to Morocco. “The EU stands ready to support Morocco in these difficult times,” wrote the President of the EU Council, Charles Michel, on Saturday morning on the short message service X (formerly Twitter). The news from the country is terrible. His thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy and the rescue teams. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed her condolences. The prominent German politician said that her whole heart is with the Moroccan people in the face of the terrible earthquake.
Several countries also offered their help, including Italy: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni “expressed her closeness and solidarity with the Prime Minister of Morocco, Aziz Akhannouch, the families of the victims and the Moroccan people, and expressed her total availability of Italy to help Morocco in this emergency”. “, she said in a press release. Italy has been repeatedly hit by serious earthquakes in recent years. (APA/dpa)