A devastating earthquake struck Morocco, leaving villages reduced to rubble and causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to dig out survivors and recover the bodies of those who perished in the disaster. Both Moroccan and international aid workers and law enforcement have arrived in the hardest-hit region, south of Marrakech, to provide assistance to the affected communities.
The magnitude-6.8 earthquake, which occurred on Friday night, was followed by several aftershocks, further exacerbating the damage. Villagers are now facing a shortage of essential supplies such as food, water, and electricity, while steep mountain roads are blocked by giant boulders.
The epicenter of the earthquake was in the Atlas Mountains, located approximately 70 kilometers (44 miles) south of Marrakech in Al Haouz province. This region, characterized by red-rock mountains, picturesque gorges, and stunning streams and lakes, is largely rural and heavily reliant on agriculture. The earthquake has devastated many villages, particularly those built into the mountainsides using clay and mud brick.
For residents like Hamid Idsalah, a 72-year-old mountain guide from the Ouargane Valley, the future is uncertain. Idsalah depends on tourism, with Moroccan and foreign tourists visiting the region due to its proximity to Marrakech and Toubkal, North Africa’s tallest peak and a popular destination for hikers and climbers. I can’t reconstruct my home. I don’t know what I’ll do. Still, I’m alive so I’ll wait, he said, as rescue teams made their way through the valley for the first time since the earthquake struck.
The impact of the earthquake spread beyond Al Haouz province, causing injuries and fatalities in other areas such as Marrakech, Taroudant, and Chichaoua. As of Monday, the death toll stood at 2,862, with 1,604 of those occurring in Al Haouz alone. Villages like Tafeghaghte have reported losing more than half of their population.
The Moroccan government has launched emergency response efforts, deploying ambulances, rescue teams, and soldiers to the affected region. Although foreign assistance has been accepted on a limited basis, no broad appeal for help has been made. Search and rescue-focused aid from non-governmental organizations, as well as countries like Spain, Qatar, Britain, and the United Arab Emirates, has been accepted. Offers of assistance from French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden, however, have been bypassed.
The earthquake also caused damage in Marrakech, particularly to the historic walls surrounding the city and the famous Koutoubia Mosque. Marrakech, Morocco’s most popular tourist destination, is known for its palaces, spice markets, and cultural heritage sites.
While the recent earthquake is Morocco’s strongest in over a century, it is not the deadliest. Just over 60 years ago, a magnitude-5.8 quake struck the western coast, killing over 12,000 people. Changes in construction regulations were implemented after that disaster, but many buildings, especially in rural areas, still lack the necessary structural resilience.
Emergency response efforts will continue as rescue teams navigate the challenging mountain roads to reach the most affected villages. However, the challenges faced by the hundreds of thousands of people who call this region home are likely to persist long after the immediate rescue operations conclude.
The Moroccan Parliament is set to convene on Monday to establish a government fund for earthquake response, as requested by King Mohammed VI. The allocation of funds will be crucial to support the affected communities in their recovery journey.
This devastating earthquake serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of regions prone to seismic activity. It is important for governments and communities to prioritize disaster preparedness and invest in resilient infrastructure to minimize future casualties and damage.
