Moroccans are in mourning as they grapple with the devastating aftermath of a massive earthquake that has claimed the lives of over 2,000 people. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate survivors buried beneath the rubble of demolished villages.
The earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.8, struck 72 kilometers (45 miles) southwest of Marrakesh, making it the strongest ever recorded in Morocco. The disaster has left at least 2,012 people dead and more than 2,000 injured, with many in critical condition.
Entire villages in the Atlas mountain range have been flattened by the quake, turning thriving communities into scenes of destruction. Lahcen, a resident of Moulay Brahim, expressed his profound loss, having lost his wife and four children. While rescue workers managed to recover the bodies of three of his daughters, his wife and son remain unaccounted for.
Rescue efforts have been focused on reaching remote mountain villages where victims are feared to be trapped under the debris of homes constructed from mud bricks. Al-Haouz province, where the epicenter was located, recorded the highest number of casualties with 1,293 deaths, followed by Taroudant province, where 452 lives were lost.
In the face of this tragedy, citizens in Marrakesh are showing their solidarity by donating blood to aid the injured.
The earthquake has left countless residents homeless, with many choosing to sleep in the streets due to fears of collapsing buildings. The usually bustling tourist hotspot of Marrakesh has seen its streets occupied by people huddled together under blankets, surrounded by their belongings.
The Moroccan government has declared three days of national mourning, while countries including France, Israel, Italy, Spain, and the United States have offered assistance. Rescue teams, financial aid, and humanitarian support are being mobilized to help Morocco cope with this immense disaster.
The Red Cross has cautioned that the recovery and rebuilding process will be lengthy and arduous, estimating that it could take months, if not years, to fully repair the damage.
The earthquake has left a lasting scar on Morocco, reminiscent of the 1960 tremor that razed Agadir and claimed over 12,000 lives. The nation now faces the immense challenge of recovery and healing.