This Monday, rescue teams continue to search for survivors under the rubble of the largest earthquake recorded in Morocco in the last 60 years. According to a new Home Office report, citing Le MatinThe death toll rose to 2,497 and the number of injured to 2,476.
An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale was recorded on Friday evening 72 kilometers southwest of Marrakesh. Teams from the UK and Spain are at the scene trying to find survivors amid the destruction.
Many survivors spent their third night on the streets after their homes were destroyed or damaged.
In the village of Talegahte, Hamid ben Henna said Reuters how his eight-year-old son died in an earthquake. The boy went to the kitchen to get a knife while the family was having dinner when the earthquake struck. The family survived.
In desperation from the earthquake, many tried to dig with their own hands to reach relatives and friends trapped under the rubble. More than two days after the earthquake, people are trying to retrieve some goods from the rubble.
Buildings in the old city of Marrakech, a World Heritage site, were damaged. The earthquake also damaged the important 12th-century Tinmel Mosque. Because many houses are built from mud brick, wood or cement blocks, the structures have become more fragile. It was Morocco’s deadliest earthquake since 1960, when an estimated 12,000 people were killed in the powerful tremor.
Morocco sent the army to help respond to the earthquake and said it was strengthening search and rescue teams, providing drinking water and distributing food, tents and blankets.
This Sunday, Qatar also announced that the country’s search and rescue team was heading to Morocco. France is awaiting a formal request from Morocco to send rescue teams.
Portuguese man injured in earthquake
Two Portuguese men, father and daughter, were hospitalized after being injured while visiting the Marrakesh medina.
The shock was felt in several regions of Portugal. According to IPMA, The earthquake occurred at 23:11 at a depth of 10 kilometers. The epicenter was located approximately 65 km southwest of Marrakesh. A few minutes later, three tremors were felt with a force of 4.5, 3.3 and 3.1 on the Richter scale.
Minister of the Interior on the tragedy in Morocco
Interior Minister José Luis Carneiro said this Monday that support for Morocco “could be provided either bilaterally or at the level of the European Civil Protection Mechanism.”
“Portugal, from the very beginning, in the words of the Prime Minister, has demonstrated full readiness and solidarity with a neighboring country and with a friendly country with which we have very deep cultural and socio-historical ties,” he said.
Location of the earthquake:
Author: Daniela Vilar Santos This Reuters
Source: CM Jornal
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