Mohammed VI will visit quake-affected areas this afternoon
The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, will visit this afternoon the regions affected by last Friday night's devastating earthquake, sources have told Maghreb-intelligence.
The monarch's plane is scheduled to land at Marrakech airport on Tuesday afternoon. In the city, which suffered major material damage after the earthquake, Mohammed VI will inspect the health facilities that are providing assistance to the victims.
Afterwards, the king is expected to go to the worst affected areas, specifically to the Asni camp, where many people who have lost their homes as a result of the earthquake, which has left more than 2,800 dead and 2,500 injured, are temporarily residing.
The same sources also tell Maghreb-intelligence that Mohammed VI could stay in a bivouac set up for the occasion during his stay in the city of Marrakech. In this regard, the portal recalls that during the 2007 cold snap that devastated the town of Anfgou in the Middle Atlas, Mohammed VI preferred to stay close to the affected population.
The Moroccan monarch chaired a meeting with members of the government on Saturday, hours after the quake, to assess the situation and take measures to deal with the consequences of the earthquake. Mohammed VI urged the Kingdom's authorities to deploy all necessary means and rescue teams to help those affected by the earthquake. The monarch also called for the creation of medical field hospitals and plans to deliver humanitarian aid to the victims.
The rural areas of Al Haouz and Taroudant are the areas that are suffering most from the earthquake, which measured 7 on the Richter scale. Therefore, following royal instructions, major rescue operations are underway in the areas involving the Royal Armed Forces, in coordination with Civil Defence, the Royal Gendarmerie, the Auxiliary Forces and the local authorities. Likewise, in both provinces along with Chichaoua, classes have been suspended and counselling and psychological support for students will be provided instead.