Government leaders express condolences to victims
Government leaders from several countries have responded to the earthquake in Morocco. Through social media platform writes outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte: “Terrible news is coming in about the devastating earthquake that has struck Morocco. My thoughts are with the many victims of this disaster and with the local emergency services.” Rutte has conveyed condolences to Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also expresses his condolences via X: “We are thinking of everyone affected by this natural disaster.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is present at the G20 summit in New Delhi, also stopped at X during the natural disaster in Morocco. Modi says India “stands ready to provide all possible support” to Morocco.
Eyewitnesses speak of extensive damage: ‘I heard people screaming, everyone ran outside’
The first eyewitness reports are slowly coming in after the severe earthquake that struck Morocco on the night from Friday to Saturday. In the mountain village of Asni, a resident told Reuters that almost all houses in the town have been damaged. “Our neighbors are under the rubble, people are trying to save them with the resources available.” A teacher from near Taroudant, further west, said the quake lasted for about 20 seconds.
In Marrakech, eyewitnesses also report damage. Buildings have collapsed in the old center and ambulances are driving around to take victims to hospital. A resident of the city told Reuters: “The chandelier fell from the ceiling and I ran outside. I’m still on the street with my children, we are scared.” In Casablanca, an eyewitness said he felt his house shaking violently: “I heard people screaming, everyone running outside.”
As day breaks in Morocco, more and more images and eyewitness accounts of the earthquake are coming in. The quake, which measured 6.8 on the Richter scale according to the US Geological Survey, occurred around 11pm on Friday evening. The death toll now stands at 296, with at least 153 injuries.
Also read: At least 296 killed by major earthquake in Morocco