1 of 1 Debris after earthquake in Marrakech — Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP Debris after earthquake in Marrakech — Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP
The strong earthquake that shook Morocco on Friday evening (8) Brazilian time has already claimed 820 lives and injured 672, according to a report published by the Interior Ministry on state television. However, the number of victims is not final and, according to the same authorities, could still rise.
The quake, which lasted about 15 seconds, damaged everything from villages in the Atlas Mountains to the historic city of Marrakesh.
The earthquake hit around 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time), according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), reached a magnitude of 6.8 and occurred at a depth of 18.5 km.
The earthquake’s epicenter was high in the Atlas Mountains, 70 km south of Marrakech, where the highest death toll is concentrated. The region is also close to Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, and Oukaimeden, a popular Moroccan ski resort.
The most affected provinces were Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Marrakesh, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant.
In some cities in the region, men, women and children remained on the streets for fear of the consequences. There are also videos showing people leaving shopping malls, restaurants and residential buildings.
A second, weaker tremor struck 15 minutes later, international news agencies reported.
According to Portal news agency, a state official said there were dozens of deaths in hardtoreach areas south of Marrakech.
1 of 7 Old Mosque in the historic city of Marrakech was badly damaged by earthquake Photo: Portal 2 of 7 Debris in Marrakech, after a strong earthquake in Morocco Photo: Al Oula TV / via Portal 3 of 7 The quake, from ca 15 For seconds it damaged everything from villages in the Atlas Mountains to the historic city of Marrakech Photo: Al Maghribi Al Youm / via Portal 4 of 7 Damaged property in Marrakech Photo: Michaël Bizet / UGC / via AFP 5 of 7 residents are sleeping in one square in Marrakech Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP 6 of 7 7 of 7
According to the US Geological Survey, the quake reached a magnitude of 6.8 and was felt in Portugal, Spain and Algeria.
On the social network X (the old Twitter) there are reports of people running through the streets as buildings shake. According to news agencies, several buildings collapsed.
The earthquake was also felt in other countries: there are reports in press offices from Portugal, Spain and Algeria.
The head of Talat N’Yaaqoub town, Abderrahim Ait Daoud, told Moroccan news site 2M that several houses in towns in the Al Haouz region had partially or completely collapsed, that electricity was out and roads were blocked in some sections.
Ait Daoud also said authorities were clearing roads in the province to allow ambulances to pass through.
Images shared on social media showed people running and striding near the 12thcentury Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Moroccan media reported that the mosque was damaged.
Due to its location between the African and Eurasian plates, Morocco experiences frequent earthquakes in its northern region. In 2004, at least 628 people died and 926 were injured when an earthquake struck Alhucemas, in the northeast of the country.
In 1980, the 7.3 magnitude earthquake in El Asnam, Algeria, was one of the most destructive in the region: it killed 2,500 people and left 300,000 homeless.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement: “The United Nations stands ready to support the Moroccan government.”