Moroccan quake death toll rises to 1,305 with 1,832 people injured

A powerful earthquake rocked Morocco's High Atlas mountains on Saturday, resulting in the loss of at least
1,305 lives, along with the destruction of buildings and widespread panic among residents of major cities, as reported by state television.

The number of reported injuries reached 1,832, and includes 1,220 people who are in a critical condition, according to state media on Saturday, with an updated initial casualty count from the Interior Ministry.


It's worth noting that a local official had previously mentioned that most of the casualties occurred in remote mountainous areas, making rescue efforts challenging.

Reports from residents of Marrakech, the nearest major city to the earthquake's epicenter, indicated that some buildings, including those in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old city, had collapsed. Local television broadcasts showed images of a fallen mosque minaret, with rubble strewn across damaged vehicles.

The Interior Ministry issued a televised statement regarding the death toll and urged the public to remain calm. The earthquake affected several provinces, including Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Marrakech, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant.

Montasir Itri, a resident of the mountain village of Asni near the epicenter, reported extensive damage to houses in the area and ongoing efforts to rescue those trapped under debris.

Further west, near Taroudant, teacher Hamid Afkar described his experience during the quake, with doors opening and shutting on their own as he rushed downstairs from the second floor of his home.

According to Morocco's geophysical center, the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.2 and struck the Ighil area of the High Atlas. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a magnitude of 6.8 for the quake, noting its relatively shallow depth of 18.5 kilometers (11.5 miles).

Ighil, characterized by its mountainous terrain and small farming villages, is situated approximately 70 kilometers (40 miles) southwest of Marrakech. The earthquake occurred just after 11 p.m. (2200 GMT).

This tragic event marks Morocco's deadliest earthquake since a 2004 tremor near Al Hoceima in the northern Rif mountains claimed the lives of over 600 people.

In response to the disaster, the United Nations has expressed its readiness to assist the Moroccan government in aiding the affected population, according to U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

In Marrakech, where significant damage was reported, residents joined together to clear debris by hand while waiting for heavy equipment to arrive. The medieval city's walls displayed large cracks and sections that had collapsed, with rubble strewn across the streets.

Residents across the country, including the capital city of Rabat and the coastal town of Imsouane, fled their homes out of fear of additional seismic activity, highlighting the widespread sense of alarm and uncertainty that has gripped the nation in the wake of this powerful earthquake.