Morocco grapples with the aftermath of its most deadly earthquake in over six decades, with over 2,100 casualties reported. As survivors scramble for basic necessities, damaged cultural heritage sites and remote settlements make rescue operations challenging. Foreign countries are extending aid and support in these trying times.
Key Points:
- The earthquake, measuring 6.8 in magnitude, left many spending nights in the open due to extensive damage and fears of aftershocks.
- The death toll stands at 2,122 with 2,421 injured, and many cultural heritage sites, including a 12th-century mosque and parts of Marrakech’s old city, have been severely damaged.
- Residents in various villages, like Moulay Brahim, manually dug the dead out from the debris, emphasizing the direness of the situation.
- The government has established a relief fund, and the World Health Organization reports over 300,000 individuals affected by the disaster.
- International aid is pouring in from countries such as Spain, Britain, Qatar, and the US, all pledging support in various forms including search-and-rescue teams.