MOROCCO, Sep 9 – A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck a remote mountainous region just 72 kilometers (45 miles) southwest of the popular tourist destination of Marrakesh, killing more than 1,000 people.
Moroccan troops and emergency services are now racing against time to reach remote mountain villages where casualties are feared to be trapped.
In the mountain village of Moulay Brahim, close to the quake’s epicenter, rescue teams are tirelessly searching for survivors amidst the rubble of collapsed houses. Heartbroken residents have started digging graves for the victims on a nearby hill.
The Moroccan army has swiftly established a field hospital in the village and deployed significant human and logistical resources to support the ongoing rescue operation, according to state news agency MAP.
The earthquake, felt across the country, sent people fleeing outdoors in fear of aftershocks. Ambulance sirens echoed through the night as paramedics transported the injured to hospitals.
Among those affected is Malika Buqush, a woman in her 60s who lost her husband and one of her granddaughters to the earthquake. She was brought to Marrakesh from the village of Tafgakt, one of the hardest-hit areas located approximately 100 kilometers south of Marrakesh.
Rachid Shein, an ambulance owner and driver, has been making multiple trips to the hospital, transporting the injured. He described the devastation as unprecedented and stressed the importance of helping kinsmen in need.
As the death toll continues to rise, with initial estimates of around 300 climbing to over 1,000 by early afternoon, King Mohammed VI has ordered the armed forces to join the rescue effort. The earthquake has caused structural damage to buildings across Marrakesh, with some older structures collapsing, particularly in the historic district of the city.
The challenging terrain in the mountainous region, where the earthquake struck, is hampering rescue efforts, as some roads have collapsed while others are blocked by fallen rocks. Medics and volunteers are struggling to reach victims, and the death toll is expected to rise further.
Moroccans from across the country are converging on Marrakesh to assist in the rescue efforts, as the city serves as the focal point for the response to the disaster. Ambulance owners like Abdelkareem have traveled long distances to provide crucial assistance in this time of need.
“This is a catastrophe, and there is a true need for help, which is why I’m here,” Abdelkareem stated.
The nation is rallying together to address this urgent crisis, with both local and international support pouring in as Morocco grapples with the aftermath of this devastating earthquake.
