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TINISKT, Morocco — Life in this scenic village nestled in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco was once simple and pleasant but often challenging. Surrounded by olive and nut trees, the community relied on the income generated by these crops, along with money sent by children who had moved to cities.
Time passed in Tiniskt with the rhythm of harvests, weekly markets, and significant life events like births, weddings, and deaths. During the holiday of Eid al-Adha, kids would gather in a mountain spring-fed pool for a swim and enjoy their time together.
Last week, everything changed drastically when a powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck the region. Within seconds, Tiniskt was reduced to rubble. Fifty or more residents lost their lives, leaving behind a traumatized village struggling to cope with the aftermath.
The survivors have taken refuge in government-provided tents, with communal breakfasts and distribution of donated goods. Children find solace in playing soccer in the dirt while adults support each other through this trying time.
Zahra Ait Tagadirt, who had moved to Tiniskt five years earlier after marrying an older man, vividly remembers the beauty of the village. She had found companionship and made friends after giving birth to her two children, Farah and Youssef.
On September 8, a seemingly ordinary day, Zahra’s husband took the children to collect grass from their field while she prepared lunch. They followed their daily routine, oblivious to the tragedy that awaited them.
When the earthquake struck, the family’s home collapsed, leaving Zahra unconscious and separated from her husband and children. While her husband survived, tragically, Farah and Youssef did not. Devastated by the loss of her children, Zahra contemplates leaving the village, feeling she has nothing left to stay for.
Hassan Ait Lemachi, a local builder and father of five, has also experienced unimaginable grief. Hassan lived with his wife, Fatima, and their beloved daughter, Salma. They enjoyed a simple life together until the earthquake shattered their world.
While watching “Tom & Jerry” that fateful night, Salma grew tired and joined her mother in the next room. Minutes later, the house collapsed, leaving Hassan injured but able to escape. He realized that his wife and daughter did not survive. For days, Hassan searched the village in anguish, his heartbroken cries echoing through the devastation.
Fatna Daba, another resident of Tiniskt, climbed up the remains of her damaged home. Fatna, who married into the village many years ago, had lost her husband two decades prior. Her children had moved away, and only her stepson, who was disabled, remained with her.
Incredibly, Fatna emerged from the wreckage alive, thanks to the help of a neighbor. As one of the poorest families in the village, Fatna depended on her animals for survival. Her donkey, cow, and male calf miraculously survived the earthquake, providing her with a glimmer of hope.
Faced with the prospect of rebuilding her home, Fatna feels the loss of three close friends, making her resistant to the idea. She believes the house has lost its essence and prefers to rely on God and her animals for guidance and comfort.
The earthquake brought grief to sisters Mariam and Najat Ait Boujanaa, who were already mourning their father’s recent passing. Their tight-knit community had supported them and their mother, Saida, during their time of sorrow, coming together to clean their house and provide food.
On September 8, Najat sent a desperate voice message to her sister, Mariam, as their house collapsed around them. While Jamal, the youngest sibling, managed to escape and seek help, Saida and Najat remained trapped under the rubble.
Mariam, studying economics at university, received the message and desperately tried to reach the village. Blocked roads and full cars delayed her arrival, but when she finally made it, she was devastated by the extent of the destruction and the loss of friends who had supported her during her father’s funeral.
Mariam wonders if the village will recover from this tragedy. Many young people had already left to find work in cities, and she fears others will follow suit. Despite the pain, she hopes the memory of those lost will keep the community alive.
El Houssine Ait Yahia, 72, and his wife, Aicha Ait Oubelkassem, stood amidst the remnants of their former home. They had built a new house in the 1980s, planning for a bright future. But the earthquake shattered their dreams and left them with nothing.
Seated on a clay wall, El Houssine mourns the loss of their home and comforts his wife. They cannot help but imagine what they would have bought from the market the following day. Now, they must start over, as several men begin clearing a space where a new Tiniskt will rise.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco has announced an aid package to assist with rebuilding homes in the village, offering hope amidst the devastation.
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