Calay News
A rare and powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco on Friday night, claiming the lives of at least 1,305 people in the country’s strongest earthquake in more than a century, according to Morocco’s Interior Ministry.
The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the earthquake as having a magnitude of 6.8 when it occurred at 11:11 p.m. local time, with shaking that lasted several seconds. Morocco’s National Seismic Warning and Monitoring Network measured it at 7 on the Richter scale. The US agency reported that 19 minutes later, an aftershock of magnitude 4.9 occurred.
Marrakech, with a population of almost one million and known as a popular tourist destination for its historic palaces, was one of the hardest-hit areas. The city hosted the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2016.
Last News:
- Algeria offers to open its airspace to Morocco after a deadly earthquake.
The death toll stands at 1,037, with more than 1,204 injured, 721 of them in critical condition. - President Biden issued a written statement expressing his condolences and offering assistance to Morocco.
- King Mohammed VI of Morocco ordered the mobilization of armed forces, specialized search and rescue teams, and a surgical field hospital, according to the Associated Press.
However, the Moroccan government has not yet formally requested assistance, which is necessary to deploy external rescue teams.
The world stands in solidarity with Morocco in this time of difficulty, and President Biden expressed his sadness at the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake, offering US assistance in coordination with Moroccan authorities.
