Morocco has been rocked by one of the most powerful earthquakes in its history, resulting in a tragic toll of more than 1,000 lives lost and over 1,200 people sustaining injuries.
Among the injured, hundreds are reported to be in critical condition, according to statements from the country’s armed forces.
The epicenter of the catastrophic tremors was located in the High Atlas mountains, striking late on a Friday night.
The number of casualties was anticipated to rise as rescue teams faced challenges in accessing remote and severely affected areas.
The quake’s epicenter was identified in the Ighil region, approximately 40 miles (70 kilometers) to the south of Marrakech.
Montasir Itri, a resident of Asni village near the epicenter, described the widespread damage, stating that most houses in the area had suffered significant harm.
He recounted the heroic efforts of locals attempting to rescue their neighbors trapped under rubble, using whatever means were available within the village.
“Our neighbours are under the rubble and people are working hard to rescue them using available means in the village,” he told Reuters.
Initially registered as a magnitude 6.8 earthquake when it occurred at 11:11 PM local time, the tremors persisted for several seconds.
Morocco’s National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network, however, later revised the magnitude to 7.2.
In the aftermath, a 4.9-magnitude aftershock occurred just 19 minutes following the initial quake, as reported by the US Geological Survey.
Distressing videos have emerged depicting numerous buildings reduced to rubble, including damage to the iconic red walls of Marrakech.
Watch the video below:
There is almost nothing left of Adassil village in Morocco. You can hear the absolute heartbreak in this mans voice 😢💔#moroccoearthquake #Morocco #earthquake pic.twitter.com/s9Vr9eo4Nq
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) September 9, 2023
The historic Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh, Morocco, did not collapse despite nearby buildings collapsing after an earthquake in Morocco.
#Morocco l #earthquake l #المغرب l #زلزال_المغرب pic.twitter.com/khTKNMg3eG
— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) September 9, 2023
Moroccan man saving a cat after a house collapsed due to the strong earthquake#earthquake #Morocco #moroccoearthquake #زلزال_المغرب pic.twitter.com/WyNpejtuFB
— Oussama Larh (@Oussazeus) September 9, 2023
Prayers for Morocco 🇲🇦 May Allah help and protect those who are effected and have mercy on everyone 🤲 🙏🏻
#زلزال_مراكش #زلزال #زلزال_المغرب#Morocco #earthquake #moroccoearthquake #deprem #fas #fas_depremi #morocco #maroc #earthquake pic.twitter.com/N3tRFaonkj
— 𝐒andra 𝐇aj (@Sandra_Huj) September 9, 2023
WATCH: Aftermath of the massive earthquake hit Morocco.#Morocco #earthquake pic.twitter.com/N46icJZCU0
— Insider Corner (@insidercnews) September 9, 2023
KanyiDaily had also reported how two powerful earthquakes of 7.8-magnitude and 7.5-magnitude struck in Turkey, close to the Syrian border, while people were asleep.