Devastating Earthquake in Morocco: Hundreds Perish in Its Powerful Force

Over the weekend, a devastating earthquake struck Morocco, causing widespread destruction and claiming numerous lives. The powerful quake, which occurred late on Friday night, resulted in the deaths of hundreds of individuals and caused significant damage to buildings across the country, from villages in the Atlas Mountains to the historic city of Marrakech. The earthquake was so severe that it left men, women, and children terrified to stay indoors, with many opting to remain in the streets in fear of aftershocks. According to reports from Morocco’s Interior Ministry, at least 296 people have lost their lives in the affected provinces, with over 150 individuals sustaining injuries and requiring hospital treatment. Although significant damage occurred outside of urban areas, the impact of this disaster is deeply felt throughout the country.

Following the earthquake, numerous videos emerged on social media platforms, depicting the destruction caused by the disaster. Footage showed buildings reduced to rubble and dust, with even parts of the famous red walls surrounding Marrakech’s old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, sustaining damage. The earthquake’s epicenter was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, located approximately 44 miles south of Marrakech. Reports indicate that roads leading to the mountainous region around the epicenter were congested with vehicles and blocked by collapsed rocks, hindering rescue efforts. The US Geological Survey reported that the initial magnitude of the quake was 6.8 on the Richter scale when it occurred at 11:11 pm. Shaking lasted for several seconds, followed by a magnitude-4.9 aftershock 19 minutes later.

According to the USGS, the earthquake’s epicenter was situated 11 miles below the Earth’s surface, while Morocco’s seismic agency estimated it to be 5 miles deep. Regardless, shallow quakes like this one pose a significantly higher risk. Earthquakes are relatively uncommon in North Africa, adding to the shock and devastation caused by this event. Lahcen Mhanni, Head of the Seismic Monitoring and Warning Department at the National Institute of Geophysics, described the earthquake as “exceptional,” emphasizing that mountainous regions typically do not produce earthquakes of this magnitude. He stated, “It is the strongest earthquake recorded in the region.” The impact of the quake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria, according to authorities. (Read more Morocco stories.)