Tragedy in Morocco! Marrakech is devastated after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake!

On Friday evening, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck Morocco. At least 820 people have been reported dead. The epicenter was in the High Atlas Mountains, at a depth of 18 km, 70 km southwest of Marrakesh. Tremors were also felt in the capital Rabat and Casablanca. The earthquake occurred at 23:11 local time. 19 minutes later, two aftershocks with a magnitude of 4.9 occurred. Several buildings in Marrakech collapsed. People were in shock and panic. The children were crying and the parents were confused. Electricity and communications were cut off for 10 minutes. Many people spent the night outdoors as the government warned them not to return to their homes. Authorities reported deaths in Marrakesh and several areas to the south. The earthquake killed people in the provinces and municipalities of Al-Haouz, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant. Thousands of people were injured. Hospitals in Marrakesh have seen an influx of injured people and authorities have urged residents to donate blood. Many of the victims are believed to live in remote areas. Simple buildings in mountain villages near the epicenter may have been destroyed. The earthquake was also felt in neighboring Algeria, but without damage or casualties. French President Emmanuel Macron said he was “devastated“ by the news and offered help to Morocco. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky expressed solidarity with Morocco after the earthquake. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered support to Morocco after a “devastating earthquake.” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez offered “solidarity and support to the people of Morocco.“ Speaking at the G20 summit in Delhi, the Indian Prime Minister said that the international community will come to Morocco’s aid.