| Topic | Information |
|---|---|
| Date and time | Friday, September 8, 2023 at 23:11 DST (22:11 UTC) |
| Magnitude | 6.8 Mw according to the USGS, 7.2 according to the Moroccan geophysical centre |
| Depth | 18.5 km (11.5 mi) |
| Epicenter | Near the town of Ighil in the High Atlas mountains, about 72 km (44.6 mi) southwest of Marrakesh |
| Affected areas | Marrakesh-Safi region and neighboring countries such as Algeria, Portugal, and Spain |
| Damage | Many buildings collapsed, especially in the old city of Marrakesh, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site |
| Casualties | At least 1,037 deaths and 329 injuries reported |
| Response | Moroccan authorities declared a state of emergency and mobilized the army, the police, and the civil protection. World leaders and international organizations expressed their condolences and offered their support and aid to Morocco. |
DETAILS
MOROCCO EARTHQUAKE
- The earthquake was of magnitude 6.8 and struck Morocco on Friday night, September 8, 2023 .
- The epicenter was in the High Atlas mountains, about 72 kilometers southwest of Marrakech, a popular tourist destination and a city of nearly a million people .
- The quake was the strongest to hit the North African country in over 120 years, according to the US Geological Survey.
- The earthquake was felt across Morocco and in neighboring countries such as Algeria, Portugal, and Spain .
- The death toll rose to 820 on Saturday, while more than 670 people were injured .
- Many buildings collapsed and thousands of people fled their homes in panic .
- World leaders expressed their condolences and offered their support to Morocco.
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to experience an earthquake? How would you react if the ground beneath you suddenly started shaking and everything around you collapsed? That’s what happened to millions of people in Morocco on Friday night, September 8, 2023, when a powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck the country, causing widespread devastation and killing more than 800 people.
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake was the strongest to hit Morocco in over 120 years. The epicenter was located in the High Atlas mountains, about 72 kilometers southwest of Marrakech, a popular tourist destination and a city of nearly a million people.
The quake was felt across Morocco and in neighboring countries such as Algeria, Portugal, and Spain .
The aftermath of the earthquake was horrific. The death toll rose to 820 on Saturday, while more than 670 people were injured . Many buildings collapsed and thousands of people fled their homes in panic .
The Moroccan authorities declared a state of emergency and mobilized the army, the police, and the civil protection to assist the victims and restore order . The Moroccan King Mohammed VI visited the affected areas and expressed his condolences and solidarity with the people.
The international community also responded swiftly and generously to the disaster. World leaders such as US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed their condolences and offered their support to Morocco. Several countries and organizations sent humanitarian aid, rescue teams, and medical supplies to help the relief efforts .
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that it would provide $10 million in emergency assistance to Morocco.
The Morocco earthquake was a tragic disaster that shook the nation and affected millions of people. It also showed the resilience and solidarity of the Moroccan people and the international community. As we mourn the loss of lives and pray for the recovery of the injured, we also hope that this event will raise awareness and preparedness for future earthquakes. What do you think about the Morocco earthquake? How do you think we can prevent or reduce the impact of such disasters? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
