Powerful earthquake strikes Morocco, killing hundreds and damaging historic buildings

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A formidable earthquake struck Morocco late on Friday night, resulting in a tragic loss of life and substantial damage to buildings, including historic landmarks in major urban centers.

Morocco’s Interior Ministry reported early on Saturday that a grim toll of at least 296 individuals had perished in the provinces near the earthquake’s epicenter. Furthermore, 153 individuals sustained injuries and were promptly transported to hospitals for medical care. The ministry noted that the majority of the destruction occurred in rural areas outside of urban zones.

Numerous Moroccans shared harrowing videos depicting structures reduced to debris and dust. Even the iconic red walls that encircle Marrakech’s ancient city, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, bore damage. Tourists and residents alike posted videos capturing the frantic evacuation of restaurants in the city amid blaring club music, accompanied by the sound of people’s distress.

In the wake of this catastrophic event, rather than returning to their concrete abodes, men, women, and children chose to remain outdoors, gripped by anxiety over potential aftershocks and further tremors that could imperil their residences.

The U.S. Geological Survey initially recorded the earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8, striking at precisely 11:11 p.m. (2211 GMT), with several seconds of intense shaking. Morocco’s National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network assessed it at a magnitude of 7 on the Richter scale. The U.S. agency later reported a magnitude-4.9 aftershock just 19 minutes following the initial quake.

Discrepancies in early measurements are commonplace, but regardless of the precise magnitude, this earthquake ranks as one of the most powerful to have shaken Morocco in recent years. Although earthquakes are infrequent in North Africa, a devastating magnitude 5.8 tremor near Agadir in 1960 resulted in a significant loss of life.

The epicenter of Friday’s seismic event was situated high in the Atlas Mountains, approximately 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) south of Marrakech. Notably, it was in close proximity to Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, and Oukaimeden, a well-known Moroccan ski resort.

According to the USGS, the epicenter lay at a depth of 18 kilometers (11 miles) beneath the Earth’s surface, while Morocco’s seismic agency estimated it to be 8 kilometers (5 miles) deep.

As of early Saturday, neither Moroccan authorities nor MAP, the official news agency of Morocco, had released specific information regarding casualties or the extent of damages caused by the earthquake. Typically, government officials utilize the agency to disseminate critical information of this nature.

The tremors from this devastating earthquake were felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria, as reported by the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algeria’s Civil Defense agency, responsible for overseeing emergency response efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Morocco Earthquake

More about Morocco Earthquake

• Morocco Earthquake: Hundreds Dead and Historic Sites Damaged
• U.S. Geological Survey – Earthquake Information
• Morocco’s National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network
• UNESCO World Heritage – Marrakech
• 1960 Agadir Earthquake
• Atlas Mountains
• Toubkal – Highest Peak in North Africa
• Oukaimeden – Moroccan Ski Resort
• Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere
• Algeria’s Civil Defense Agency
• MAP – Official News Agency of Morocco