Morocco: Dozens dead after the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that hit the Marrakech region

tremor This could be the strongest earthquake to hit the kingdom to date, with a tremor causing the partial collapse of several buildings

Many Moroccans took to the streets to seek shelter during an earthquake that shook the Marrakech region on September 8, 2023. — Mosa&#039 ;ab Elshamy/AP/SIPA

The toll is unfortunately increasing. At least thirty people were killed. killed by the powerful earthquake that struck Morocco on Friday night Saturday, according to local media. The tremor, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, occurred at 11:11 p.m. 80 km southwest of Marrakech, reported the American Institute of Geophysics (USGS)

Twenty-seven people died in the tourist region of Marrakech, near the capital. 320 km south of the capital Rabat, and four others in the province of Ouarzazate further south, indicated report to the media by citing local sources in both regions. No official assessment has been made. provided by the authorities.

The National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST) based in France. à Rabat, for its part, indicated: that the earthquake had a magnitude of 7 degrees on the Richter scale and that its epicenter was located in the province of Al-Haouz. According to Moroccan media, this is the most powerful earthquake in the world. strike the kingdom this day.

Partially collapsed buildings

In a locality In Al-Haouz province, the epicenter of the earthquake, a family was trapped in the rubble after their house collapsed, according to media reports. Citing medical sources, the Médias24 information site reported a “ massive influx » injured in Marrakech hospitals.

The earthquake caused damage to many areas. Marrakech and beyond Agadir, with partially collapsed buildings, according to videos shared on social networks.

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Shock and panic

“ Around 11 p.m., we felt a very violent shock, I realized what happened. that it was an earthquake. I saw buildings moving. We don't necessarily have the reflexes in this type of situation. Then I went out, there were a lot of people outside. People were all in shock and panic. “The children were crying, the parents were distraught,” she told AFP. AFP told a resident of Marrakech, Abdelhak El Amrani, 33, reached by telephone.

« The current has gone out. for 10 minutes, the (telephone) network too but it was restored. Everyone has decided; to stay out », he added. According to images broadcast on the networks, part of a minaret collapsed on the famous Jemaa el-Fna square, the beating heart of Marrakech, leaving two people injured. p>

Our journalist Mathilde Ceilles, present at Agadir, in 130 km from the epicenter, had « never felt a jolt like ça », which « briefly cut light ». At 1:00 a.m., no one was sleeping, fearing an aftershock, while the 1960 earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.7, had killed nearly 12,000 people.