- According to the Interior Ministry, the death toll from a severe 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Morocco has risen to 2012. Over 2,059 were injured.
- In many areas from the Atlas Mountains to the famous old town of Marrakech, buildings were partially completely destroyed and famous cultural monuments were damaged.
- The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA) has made an offer of assistance to Morocco. Details are still being worked out.
- According to the US Earthquake Observatory USGS, the epicenter of the quake was about 72 kilometers southwest of Marrakech at a depth of 18.5 kilometers.
Legend:
The epicenter of the quake is southwest of Marrakech.
SRF
The quake occurred shortly after 11 p.m. (local time), the epicenter was in the Atlas Mountains. The geophone at the Helmholtz Center Potsdam gave the magnitude of the earthquake at 11:11 p.m. as 6.9. A short time later, the US authorities reported an aftershock with a magnitude of 4.9.
It is assumed that the number of victims will continue to rise. According to the Interior Ministry, most of the damage occurred outside the cities and some affected areas have not yet been reached.
Quake felt 350 kilometers away
The residents of the city of Marrakesh reported to the Reuters news agency that buildings in the historic old town had collapsed. Videos posted on social media show damaged parts of the famous red walls that surround Marrakech’s old town. This has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
According to eyewitness accounts, the earthquake caused panic in Marrakesh, Agadir and other cities. The tremors could still be felt in the capital Rabat, 350 kilometers away, as the newspaper “Le Matin” reported. It was even felt in Spain, Portugal and Algeria.
Earthquakes in North Africa are relatively rare. In 1960, according to the Al Arabiya broadcaster, an earthquake of magnitude 5.8 occurred near Agadir, killing thousands of people. The last major earthquake struck Morocco in 2004 with a magnitude of 6.4.
The German Red Cross (DRK) said the situation was still very confusing. “But one thing is certain: the people in the disaster regions now urgently need humanitarian help,” said DRK General Secretary Christian Reuter.
No knowledge of Swiss victims
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA) has decided to make an offer of assistance to Morocco. The details are still being worked out. There is currently no evidence of Swiss victims in the earthquake area.
The Swiss embassy in Rabat is in contact with the responsible local authorities, EDA spokesman Michael Steiner told the Keystone-SDA news agency.
Federal President Alain Berset expressed his condolences in a tweet and emphasized that Switzerland stands in solidarity with Morocco. “Our thoughts are with the Moroccans affected by this terrible earthquake,” said Berset.
Other heads of state and government also showed solidarity, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“The EU is ready to support Morocco in these difficult moments,” wrote EU Council President Charles Michel on the short message service X. His thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy.