Morocco earthquake LIVE: Death toll rises to 820…

LIVE Follow with us all the information on the disaster that occurred near Marrakech

FADEL SENNA/AFP Update Show only highlights

THE ESSENTIAL

• A powerful seé ism struck Morocco on Friday night Saturday, left at least 632 dead according to a report from the Ministry of the Interior at the start of the morning.
• The earthquake caused the collapse of several buildings, particularly in the provinces and communes of al-Haouz, Taroudant, Chichaoua, Ouarzazate and Marrakech.
• The National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST) based in à Rabat 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, southwest of the city of Marrakech , a very popular destination for foreign tourists.

TO SEE

1:39 p.m.: The Pope expresses his “deep solidarity” with Morocco after the earthquake 1:15 p.m.: The Chinese president sends a “message of condolences”

Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a “message of condolence” in Morocco after the devastating earthquake, reported state television CCTV.

1:13 p.m.: Joe Biden “deeply saddened”, the United States “ready” à help

The US President said he was “deeply saddened” by the lives lost and by the devastation caused by the earthquake in Morocco,” published from New Delhi, where he is participating in the G20 summit. The United States is working to “ensure that American nationals in Morocco are safe” and “ are ready to move forward” bring all necessary assistance to the Moroccan people,” said the American president, adding to stand “at the side of (his) friend King Mohammed VI at this difficult moment  ;».

11:46 a.m.: The toll from the earthquake rises to 820 dead

The provisional assessment of the violent earthquake which struck Morocco on Friday night saturday went up à 820 dead, announced the Ministry of the Interior. The earthquake, of 7 degrees of magnitude according to the Moroccan National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST), also left 672 injured, including 205 serious, said Moroccan National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST). the ministry in a press release. A previous report showed 632 dead and 329 injured.

11:41 a.m.: Spain offers to send rescue workers

Spain proposed on Saturday the dispatch of rescuers to Morocco at the aftermath of the powerful earthquake that killed at least 820 people in this country, announced; Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares. “ Spain proposed’ in Morocco, if he deems it necessary, to both rescue teams, which is the most important at the moment, but also its help for reconstruction, once this moment has passed, indicated the minister to journalists on the sidelines of the G20 summit in India.

11:06 a.m.: The UK says it is “ready to help” in “every possible way”

The United Kingdom stands “ready to help” Morocco “in every possible way” after the earthquake that killed at least 632 people, said British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Saturday. “The UK continues to support British nationals in the region,” he wrote on X (ex-Twitter). “We stand ready to help our Moroccan friends in any way possible », he added.

10.49am: Originally from Tangier, Jean-Luc Mélenchon has “thought émove » for Moroccans

Pensée émue pour les marocains dans le séisme qui les a frappés. Souvenirs douloureux du tremblement de terre d'Agadir où tous les hommes de ma famille tangeroise s'étaient mobilisés.

— Jean-Luc Mélenchon (@JLMelenchon) September 9, 2023

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10:41 a.m.: The Mellah district as « strucké by a bomb”

The narrow streets of the historic Jewish quarter of the medina, Le Mellah, are strewn with debris, old buildings have collapsed and wooden roofs have been destroyed. broken. “It’s as if we had been hit by a bomb,” describes with dismay a resident of Mellah, Hafida Sahraouia.

“We did “ dinner when we heard something like a detonation. Panicked, I quickly left with my children. Unfortunately, our house collapsed,” said the 50-year-old woman who took refuge with her family in a large square in the city. the entrance to his neighborhood. “We don't know where; give head. We lost everything,” she confides.

10:32 a.m.: Residents shaken

“I was in my bed when it all came together. to shiver. I thought my bed was going to fly away. I went out into the street half naked and I went immediately see my riads. It was total chaos, a real catastrophe, madness,” says Frenchman Michaël Bizet, 43, owner of three traditional houses in the old town of Marrakech.

« We were walking around the city. Jemaa el-Fna when the earth began à trembling, it was a truly astonishing sensation. We are safe and sound but I am still in shock. I have at least ten members of my family who have died in this country. Ijoukak (rural commune of Al-Haouz). I'm having a hard time doing this. believe it because I was with them not more than two days ago, testifies as to she Houda Outassaf, a resident of the city met on the square.

10:14 a.m.: Volodymyr Zelensky sends his “deep condolences” in Morocco

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed Saturday his “deep condolences” in Morocco after the earthquake which left more than 600 victims. « Our deep condolences to you His Majesty King Mohammed VI and all Moroccans for the lives lost in this horrible earthquake in the Marrakech region. I wish the injured a speedy recovery. Ukraine expresses its solidarity with the with Morocco at this tragic moment,” posted Volodymyr Zelensky on a social network.

10:01 a.m.: Erdogan expresses his condolences and support from Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed Saturday his condolences to the “brother” people; Moroccan support and the support of Turkey, affected in February by a devastating earthquake, after the earthquake which left at least 632 dead in Morocco.

“I wish my recovery to all Moroccans affected by the disastrous earthquake that took place in Morocco, (country) friend and brother. May God have mercy of those who lost their lives, and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured. We support our Moroccan brothers by all means in this difficult day,” the Turkish president wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Turkey stands ready, as always, to respond. provide all forms of support to heal wounds » of Morocco, specified; in a press release the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

09:57: The African Union expresses its “great pain” after the earthquake with “tragic consequences”

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, expressed Saturday his « great pain » and presented his condolences to the people of Morocco after the earthquake that struck them. this country, killing at least 632 people. “I learned with great pain of the tragic consequences of the earthquake that struck the Kingdom of Morocco. I express my deep and sincere condolences to you. His Majesty King Mohamed VI, to the Moroccan people and the families of the victims, declared Moussa Faki Mahamat in a message on the social network « X » (ex-Twitter).

09:53: Emmanauel Macron says he is “upset”” and offers help from France

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday “ upset after the terrible earthquake in Morocco » and proposed help from France. “ We are all upset after the terrible earthquake in Morocco. France stands ready to take action. help with first aid,” he said on X (formerly Twitter) during his flight to the G20 at New Delhi, where It is expected as the summit has begun. for several hours.

Nous sommes tous bouleversés après le terrible séisme au Maroc. La France se tient prête à aider aux premiers secours.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 9, 2023

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09:46 a.m.: Vladimir Putin expresses his condolences to the “friendly people” Moroccan

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed Saturday his condolences to « friendly people » Moroccan authorities for the earthquake which left at least 632 dead in the night in Morocco, indicated the Kremlin in a press release. “ In Russia, we share the pain and mourning of the friendly Moroccan people,” declared Russia. Vladimir Putin in a message addressed to to the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, by presenting his « sincere condolences for the tragic consequences of the devastating earthquake ».

09:43: The Spanish Prime Minister presents his condolences to Morocco for the “ tragedy” of the earthquake

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez presented on Saturday his condolences to the families bereaved by the “tragedy” of the earthquake in Morocco which left more than 600 dead. « All my solidarity and all my support to the people of Morocco after this terrible earthquake,” wrote Pedro Sanchez on X (formerly Twitter). “Spain stands alongside the victims of this tragedy and their families,” he added.

09:40: France expresses its “Solidarity” with a “friendly” country and people

French Minister of Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna expressed his “solidarity” with “Morocco and the Moroccan people as friends” after the “terrible” earthquake having struck this country on Friday night at Saturday, leaving at least 632 dead. The head of French diplomacy also presented his “moving thoughts” for the victims and their families, in a message published Saturday on the social network X (formerly Twitter). The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7 degrees on the Richter scale, struck notably the city of Marrakech, a mecca for tourism.

09:26 a.m.: An English tourist testifies

Mimi Theobald, a 25-year-old English tourist, was about to visit. having dessert on the terrace of a restaurant with friends “when the tables started; à shake, the dishes flying, we panicked. « Afterwards, we tried to to go to We went to our hotel to collect our luggage and passports as our flight was scheduled later. tomorrow but it was impossible because our hotel is located near the airport. in the medina. There was debris everywhere, it wasn't very safe. This is the first time that we have witnessed this event. an earthquake. When the adrenaline wore off, we realized that we were very lucky to still be alive,” she adds.

< strong>09h19: A collapsed minaret à Marrakech

According to images reproduced by the media and on social networks and witnesses, the earthquake caused significant damage in several cities. Pictures showed part of a minaret collapsed on the famous Jemaa el-Fna square, the beating heart of Marrakech, leaving two people injured.

09:15 a.m.: Welcome to this live

Facing; severity Following the disaster, the 20 Minutes editorial team opened a live broadcast to follow the information as closely as possible on the earthquake that struck the country. Morocco this night.