Amizmiz, Morocco, was struck by a powerful earthquake, the strongest in more than a century, leaving Moroccans in mourning and a nation in shock. As rescue efforts raced against time, the disaster’s toll climbed beyond 2,100 lives lost, with the number expected to rise further.
The magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck on a Friday night affected an estimated 300,000 people, according to the United Nations. Frustrations arose as some Moroccans voiced complaints on social media about the government’s slow response and hesitance in accepting international aid.
Arnaud Fraisse, the founder of Rescuers Without Borders, emphasized the urgent need for help, stating, “There are people dying under the rubble, and we cannot do anything to save them.” In Amizmiz, where many homes and a mosque had been reduced to rubble, residents anxiously awaited assistance, expressing their desperation for more aid.
The earthquake’s epicenter in the Atlas Mountains made it difficult for aid to reach remote, mountainous villages due to blocked roads caused by fallen rocks. A magnitude 3.9 aftershock further rattled the affected areas, exacerbating the situation.
- Advertisement -
The earthquake revealed the vulnerability of buildings not designed to withstand such a powerful temblor. The official death toll reached 2,122, with over 2,400 injured, including 1,404 in critical condition. The Al Haouz district in the High Atlas Mountains bore the brunt of the destruction, with 1,351 reported deaths.
King Mohammed VI declared three days of national mourning and mobilized the army for search and rescue operations. Mosques across the nation held prayers for the victims. While Morocco had not issued an international appeal for aid like Turkey had done previously, it accepted assistance from Spain, Qatar, Britain, and the United Arab Emirates.
International support poured in, with the United Nations coordinating efforts. Rescuers Without Borders reported 100 teams ready to deploy in Morocco, and countries like Spain, France, and the Czech Republic sent rescue teams to assist in the relief efforts. France, which has strong ties to Morocco, offered significant financial aid and collected donations to support the victims.
The earthquake’s epicenter near Ighil in Al Haouz Province, south of Marrakech, devastated picturesque villages and valleys in the High Atlas Mountains. Survivors, while grappling with the loss of loved ones and homes, struggled to salvage their belongings amid the rubble.
The Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity coordinated assistance for thousands of affected families, providing food, medical aid, emergency housing, and blankets. Rescue teams, backed by soldiers and police, worked tirelessly to search for survivors and clear blocked roads. Ambulances transported the wounded to hospitals in Marrakech.
- Advertisement -
As Morocco grapples with the aftermath of this devastating earthquake, the nation has shown resilience and solidarity, with citizens and the international community coming together to provide aid, support, and comfort to those affected by this tragedy.
