Morocco earthquake death toll exceeds 2,000
The earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale that struck Morocco on Friday night has already killed more than 2,000 people, according to the latest figures released by the country's authorities. In addition, more than 2,000 people have been injured. The areas that have suffered most from the earthquake are Al Haouz and Taroudant, where 1,293 and 452 people have been reported dead respectively.
Other regions affected by the devastating earthquake are Chichaoua with 191 deaths, Ouarzazate with 41, Marrakech with 15, Azilal with 11, Agadir with 5, Casablanca with 3 deaths and one death also reported in the province of El Youssoufia.
This earthquake, with its epicentre in the town of Ighil, some 60 kilometres from Marrakech, is the worst to hit the country since February 1960. About 20 minutes after the first tremor, there was an aftershock of magnitude 4.9.
The Medina of Marrakesh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been particularly affected by the quake, although the areas of greatest concern are the rural areas of Al Haouz and Taroudant.
Due to the tragedy, Morocco has decreed three days of national mourning. King Mohammed VI has also suspended his holidays to chair an emergency meeting with the government and security forces, who are working tirelessly to find more survivors.
On the king's instructions, the Royal Armed Forces have deployed significant human and logistical resources, as well as specialised intervention units to help the victims.
The Moroccan monarch has urged the government and all authorities to continue the search and rescue operations. He has also called for the immediate establishment of an inter-ministerial committee tasked with developing an urgent programme to rehabilitate and provide support to rebuild destroyed houses in the affected areas as soon as possible. These measures also aim to assist vulnerable people, especially orphans.
The list of urgent actions also includes the creation of a special bank account by the Treasury and Bank Al Maghrib to receive contributions from citizens, as well as public and private institutions wishing to help.
Strong international support
The world has turned to Morocco in the aftermath of the tragedy. Even neighbouring Algeria, which severed ties with Rabat in August 2021, has announced that it would open its airspace for humanitarian flights to the Kingdom.
Morocco's other neighbour, Spain, has already offered to send rescuers, as Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told the press, who also assured that Morocco has asked Spain for help.
The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has expressed his "solidarity and support" for the North African country, reaffirming the help of the entire European Union "as friends and allies". The leader of the opposition and president of the Popular Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has also shown his "support and solidarity" with Morocco in the aftermath of the earthquake.
For his part, King Felipe VI sent a telegram to his Moroccan counterpart, Mohammed VI, whom he referred to as his "dear brother". The Spanish monarch conveyed the "deepest feelings of sorrow for the terrible consequences" on behalf of the Royal House, the government and the Spanish people.
Other international allies of Morocco have spoken out on the matter. The United States, for example, has pledged its readiness to provide "significant assistance" in the wake of the devastating earthquake near Marrakech. "We also stand ready to release funds at the appropriate time to help the Moroccans recover and cope with this horrible tragedy," said US deputy national security adviser Jon Finer. President Joe Biden, meanwhile, issued a statement saying he was "deeply saddened".
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also stressed that the UK "stands ready to support" the Moroccan people.
The vast majority of North African and Middle Eastern nations have also expressed their condolences. Egypt, for example, reaffirmed its "unwavering solidarity" with the Kingdom, while Saudi Arabia expressed the Kingdom's "support and solidarity with Morocco and its brotherly people in this great affliction".
At the regional level, Israel has also shown its support for the African country in the aftermath of the tragedy, offering humanitarian aid and a rescue team. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced via X that he had "ordered all ministries and forces to assist as necessary the Moroccan people, including preparations to send a relief mission to the area". President Isaac Herzog also sent his "deepest condolences" to King Mohammed VI.