2023-09-10 10:52:30
According to official information from early Sunday morning, at least 2,012 people were killed in the quake. According to the Interior Ministry, at least 2,059 other people suffered injuries – 1,404 of whom are in mortal danger. In the morning, a strong aftershock shook the affected region. According to US sources, the aftershock had a magnitude of 3.9, and the epicenter roughly corresponded to Friday’s mainshock. It is still unclear whether the aftershock caused additional victims or damage.
In large areas from the Atlas Mountains to the famous old town of Marrakech, buildings were partly completely destroyed and famous cultural monuments were damaged in the main earthquake on Friday evening. Rescue workers frantically searched for survivors under the rubble. Most of the damage occurred outside the cities, it said. Some of the affected areas have not yet been reached.
Entire village wiped out
In remote mountain villages in the North African country, rescue workers used heavy equipment to dig through the rubble of collapsed houses on Sunday. A small mountain village in the province of Chichaoua was almost completely destroyed, state television reported on Sunday. 65 bodies were recovered and a mass grave was set up. Drones were used to help emergency services search for bodies. In the town of Chichaoua alone, 191 deaths were registered.
Epicenter in the Atlas Mountains
The US Earthquake Observatory USGS said the quake had a magnitude of 6.8 and occurred at a depth of 18.5 kilometers, a good 70 kilometers southwest of Marrakech and 60 kilometers northeast of the city of Taroudant. The epicenter was in the Atlas Mountains. The geophone at the Helmholtz Center Potsdam reported the magnitude of the earthquake as 6.9. A short time later, the US authorities reported an aftershock with a magnitude of 4.9. The quake was reportedly also felt in Portugal and Algeria.
Moroccans posted videos showing buildings reduced to rubble and damaged parts of the famous red walls that surround Marrakech’s Old City, a Unesco world heritage site. Other videos show screaming people leaving restaurants in the city.
“We were on the third floor when we saw things suddenly falling from the wall. It was impossible to sit or stand. Then we ran out,” said an eyewitness.
Severe earthquake in Morocco. Current hour. September 9, 2023. 42:32 min. UT. Available until September 9th, 2025. WDR. By Cengiz Ünal.
Scholz: “Bad news”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his condolences. “This is bad news from Morocco,” wrote Scholz on “X” (formerly Twitter). “In these difficult hours, our thoughts are with the victims of the devastating earthquake. Our condolences go out to everyone affected by this natural disaster.” The European Union offered Morocco help.
German helpers are preparing
In Germany, relief workers were preparing for rescue operations. However, there was still no official request for help from Morocco on Sunday. If it stays that way, the international rescue teams will not be able to start their work.
Worst earthquake in decades
Earthquakes in North Africa are relatively rare. In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck near Agadir, killing thousands of people. The last major earthquake hit Morocco in 2004 with a magnitude of 6.4. More than 600 people died at that time.
We will also report on this topic on September 9th, 2023 in the “Current Hour” on WDR television and on radio.
Our sources:
Medikamentenhilfswerk Action MedeorTechnical Relief Agency (THW)News agencies: dpa
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