An aftershock shook Morocco on Sunday amidst their mourning for the victims of the nation’s strongest earthquake in over a century. Soldiers and aid workers hurried to reach destroyed mountain villages, while the death toll of over 2,100 people is expected to rise.
The United Nations approximated that 300,000 people were affected by the magnitude 6.8 quake on Friday night. Some Moroccans expressed frustration on social media, claiming that the government was not permitting enough outside assistance. Although international aid crews were ready to assist, they grew impatient waiting for an official request from the government.
“We understand the urgent need to save people and remove debris,” said Arnaud Fraisse, founder of Rescuers Without Borders, whose team was stuck in Paris awaiting authorization. “There are people trapped under the rubble, and we are unable to rescue them.”
In Amizmiz, help arrived slowly as a significant portion of the town was missing, with its orange and red sandstone brick homes carved into the mountainside. The collapse of a mosque’s minaret added to the devastation.
“It’s a catastrophe,” said Salah Ancheu, a 28-year-old villager. “We don’t know what the future holds. The aid provided is insufficient.”
In Amizmiz, help arrived slowly as a significant portion of the town was missing, with its orange and red sandstone brick homes carved into the mountainside. The collapse of a mosque’s minaret added to the devastation.
“It’s a catastrophe,” said Salah Ancheu, a 28-year-old villager. “We don’t know what the future holds. The aid provided is insufficient.”
Those left homeless or fearing further aftershocks sought refuge Saturday night in the streets of Marrakech or under makeshift canopies in heavily affected Atlas Mountain towns like Moulay Brahim. The most severe destruction occurred in rural areas that were difficult to access due to roads covered in fallen rocks.
On Sunday, these areas experienced a magnitude 3.9 aftershock, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It is unclear if it caused additional damage or casualties, but it likely heightened anxiety in areas with unstable buildings and residents worried about more aftershocks.
The earthquake on Friday caused the collapse of buildings that could not withstand such a powerful tremor. People were either trapped in the rubble or ran away in panic. The Interior Ministry confirmed a death toll of 2,122, with at least 2,421 injuries, 1,404 of them critical. The majority of fatalities, 1,351, occurred in the Al Haouz district in the High Atlas Mountains.
Flags were lowered throughout Morocco, and King Mohammed VI declared three days of national mourning starting on Sunday. The army mobilized search and rescue teams, and the king ordered the provision of water, food rations, and shelters to those who lost their homes.
The king also called for prayers in mosques on Sunday for the victims, many of whom were buried on Saturday amid ongoing rescue efforts. Unlike Turkey following a major earthquake earlier that year, Morocco has not made an international appeal for aid, according to aid groups.
Offers of assistance poured in from around the world, and the U.N. reported having a team in Morocco to coordinate international support. Rescuers Without Borders stated that approximately 100 teams, totaling 3,500 rescuers, are registered and prepared to deploy in Morocco upon request. Germany had over 50 rescuers ready, but they were sent home, as reported by news agency dpa.
In a potential indication that Morocco may be open to receiving more assistance, a Spanish search and rescue team arrived in Marrakech and was en route to the rural area of Talat N’Yaaqoub, as stated by Spain’s Emergency Military Unit. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed in a radio interview that Moroccan authorities had requested help. Another rescue team from Nice, France, was also on its way.
In France, which has strong ties to Morocco and reported four citizens killed in the earthquake, towns and cities offered over 2 million euros ($2.1 million) in aid. Popular performers are collecting donations.
Survivors had little time to mourn as they attempted to salvage belongings from their damaged homes. Khadija Fairouje, her face swollen from crying, joined relatives and neighbors in clearing their possessions from the streets filled with rocks. Less than 48 hours earlier, her daughter and three grandsons, aged 4 to 11, perished when their home collapsed while they were asleep.
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