Over 600 people have died after an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck central Morocco. Subsequently, social media platforms were flooded with terrifying videos depicting the chaos caused by the earthquake.
As per the country’s Interior Ministry, at least 632 people had died and 329 people were injured, mostly in Marrakech and five provinces near the quake’s epicenter.
Casualty figures are expected to rise more as the search continues.
As per media reports, parts of the iconic red walls surrounding Marrakech’s historic old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, were also damaged.
How powerful was the quake?
According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter was in the High Atlas Mountains, at a depth of 18.5 km. The quake struck at 11.11 p.m. Morocco’s geophysical centre, meanwhile, said the quake struck with a magnitude of 7.2.
Moroccan media reported that an earthquake of this size has not been seen in the country and surrounding areas in more than 120 years.
“Since 1900, there have been no earthquakes M6 [magnitude 6] or larger within 500 km of this earthquake, and only nine M5 [magnitude 5] and larger,” the USGS stated, on its website.
How many people are affected?
Preliminary reports from Morocco’s interior ministry said the earthquake has killed at least 296 people and injured more than 150. Most of the dead are in hard-to-reach mountain areas.
Where did it hit?
The earthquake was felt all over the country including in the provinces of al-Haouz, Ouarzazate, Marrakesh, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant.
The earthquake’s epicentre was near the ski resort of Oukaimeden in the Atlas Mountains, some 75 km (44 miles) from Marrakesh.
Watch viral videos
Terrifying videos of buildings shaking violently, reduced to rubble and dust have been going viral.
Morocco Shaken by 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake! The Iconic Kutubiyya Mosque at Risk 🕌🚧. Observe Birds React to the Tremor 🐦👀 #earthquake #KutubiyyaMosque #BirdsInFlight #Earthquake #Seisme #زلزال_المغرب #زلزال_مراكش #PrayForMorocco #Morocco #MoroccoEarthquake pic.twitter.com/odYEMOK8lO
— ᴀᴇsᴛʜᴇᴛɪc 🌼 (@aestheticGaly) September 9, 2023
A terrifying moment of a collapse captured by a security camera#Maroc #moroccoearthquake #Morocco #earthquakemorocco #earthquake pic.twitter.com/9aeA7XsmoS
— Kinetik (@KinetikNews) September 9, 2023
This Indian Vlogger was there at the time of the earthquake in Morocco.
— Youdha Akhilesh (@youdha_akhilesh) September 9, 2023
Prayers and Support for those who are affected by this earthquake 🥺#Morocco #earthquake #moroccoearthquake #deprem #زلزال #زلزال_المغرب #fas #fas_depremi #morocco #maroc #earthquake pic.twitter.com/r6bjYNbILR
The Moment a Building Completely Collapsed Following the Earthquake that Struck Morocco a short while ago..#moroccoearthquake #Morocco #earthquake #deprem #زلزال #زلزال_المغرب #المغرب #prayerformorocco #earthquake #Morocco #earthquakes #earthquakemorocco #G20India2023 pic.twitter.com/DHU89jTUpB
— Zain Rajpoot (@zain_rajpoot39) September 9, 2023
Un devastador #Terremoto se ha producido en #Marruecos
— Manel Márquez (@manelmarquez) September 9, 2023
(632 muertos y 329 heridos)
Los fallecidos se han registrado en Al Haouz, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua y Taroudant.
Mucho ánimo a mis exalumnos amigos y vecinos.
Solidaridad.#Morocco #SOS https://t.co/1WHbw6oxRv pic.twitter.com/mYzIIttxIx
#BREAKING🚨 Collapse of a building infrastructure caught on camera from the inside #earthquake at #Morocco in the region of #Marrakech
— World Trending X (@WorldTrendingX) September 9, 2023
Pray for Maroc 🙏#moroccoearthquake #seismemaroc #seisme #maroc #prayerformorocco#هزة_أرضية #المغرب #زلزال #زلزال_المغرب #مراكش #الهزه_الارضيه pic.twitter.com/uH3RAx6I04
