The number of people dead in Morocco has topped 1,000 after a rare and powerful earthquake struck late Friday, toppling buildings and destroying villages from the Atlas Mountains to the historic city of Marrakesh.
The devastating 6.8-magnitude quake — the biggest to hit the North Africa nation in more than a century — rattled residents awake and forced them to flee from their beds around 11:11 p.m. The shaking continued for several seconds, and it was followed by a magnitude 4.9 aftershock about 19 minutes later.
State television showed groups of people huddled together in the streets, hesitant to go back inside buildings that might be unstable. Some even wrapped themselves up in blankets and tried to sleep outside.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter was in the High Atlas mountains near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, about 45 miles outside of Marrakesh, a popular tourist city with a population of about 840,000.
At least 1,037 people have died and another 1,204 people were injured, including 721 left in critical condition, Morocco’s Interior Ministry confirmed late Saturday morning.
Most of the victims are believed to have been in more remote regions, with deaths confirmed in the provinces and municipalities of Marrakesh, al-Haouz, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant. The USGS noted many people in the areas affected live in structures “highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking.”
While the full scope of the destruction remained unclear Saturday, video shared on social media shows damage to parts of the famous red walls circling the city. The 12th century Koutoubia Mosque, a popular tourist spot also known as the “Roof of Marrakesh,” was also impacted by the earthquake.
In its immediate aftermath, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI ordered the armed forces to mobilize air and land assets, specialized search and rescue teams and a surgical field hospital, according to a statement from the military. They worked overnight, using axes, hammers and even their hands to search for survivors hidden by darkness, dust and rubble.
Officials warned the death toll would likely continue to climb as their efforts continue throughout the day Saturday and they gain better access to the more difficult to reach spots.
President Biden in a written statement said that he was “deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Morocco.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by this terrible hardship,” the president said. “My administration is in contact with Moroccan officials. We are working expeditiously to ensure American citizens in Morocco are safe, and stand ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Moroccan people. The United States stands by Morocco and my friend King Mohammed VI at this difficult moment.”
His message was echoed by leaders around the world, including Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who opened the G20 summit on Saturday with “heartfelt condolences” to everyone affected by the quake. He later said on his X account that he was “extremely pained by the loss of lives.”
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