Morocco earthquake kills at least 296, causes widespread damage and panic
Morocco earthquake news: A powerful earthquake that struck Morocco late Friday night killed at least 296 people, the country’s Interior Ministry said as reported by Associated Press.
Citizens posted videos showing buildings reduced to rubble and dust and parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city in historic Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage site, damaged. Apart from them, tourists in the city also posted videos of people screaming and evacuating restaurants.
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People fled their homes in panic after a strong 6.8-magnitude earthquake rattled Morocco late on Friday. The quake caused damage to buildings and power cuts. The quake hit 44 miles (71 kilometres) southwest of Marrakesh at a depth of 18.5 kilometers at 11:11 pm (2211 GMT), the US Geological Survey said.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 11:11 p.m. (2211 GMT), with shaking that lasted several seconds.
Morocco's National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network measured it at 7 on the Richter scale while the US agency reported a magnitude 4.9 aftershock hit 19 minutes later.
The Variations in early measurements are common, although either reading would be Morocco's strongest in years. Earthquakes are relatively rare in North Africa. In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near Agadir and had caused thousands of deaths, as reported by AP.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief at the loss of lives in an earthquake in Morocco and also said that India is ready to offer all possible assistance to it in this difficult time. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time."
