What we know about the earthquake in Morocco

More than 1,000 people have died after a powerful earthquake struck the North African country of Morocco on Friday evening. Hundreds were injured. The quake is the strongest to hit the center of the country in more than a century, and its epicenter was not far from the popular tourist and economic hub of Marrakech. Here’s what we know so far: When and where did the quake happen? The earthquake occurred at around 11:11 p.m. local time. Its epicenter was in the High Atlas Mountains, about 72 kilometers (44.7 miles) southwest of Marrakesh, a city of about 840,000 people. But its effects were felt as far north as Casablanca, as this map shows. How strong was the earthquake? The quake had a magnitude of 6.8, which classifies it as “strong” on the magnitude scale. It also struck at a relatively shallow depth, making it more destructive. According to the US Geological Survey, earthquakes of this size are unusual but not unexpected in the region. It found that the area has been hit by nine quakes of magnitude 5 or higher since 1900, but none of them were above magnitude 6. The earthquake is Morocco’s deadliest since 1960, when a quake killed more than 12,000 people. Where is the worst damage? According to the WHO, more than 300,000 people are affected in Marrakech and the surrounding area. Historic sites were damaged. However, the areas closest to the Atlas Mountains are the most affected. Eyewitnesses in the foothills said some towns were completely destroyed, with almost all houses damaged in part of the village of Asni. Hundreds died in the province of Al Haouz and almost 200 in the southwestern Moroccan town of Taroudant. The exact extent of the quake is still unclear. What is happening on site? Rescue operations are underway, although some roads are damaged or blocked by debris. Some remote villages at the foot of the mountain were difficult to reach. Mohammed, 50, from the town of Ouirgane, lost four family members in the quake. “I managed to get out safely with my two children, but I lost the rest. My house is gone,” he said. Rescue operations are currently underway. “We are on the streets with the authorities as they try to retrieve the dead from the rubble. Many, many people were taken to the hospital before my eyes. We hope for miracles from the rubble,” he said. In Marrakesh, some residents spent their lives on the streets at night, afraid to return to their homes. Others fled the city entirely. There were warnings of aftershocks. The Moroccan government said it had activated all available resources to combat the quake and urged people to “avoid panic.” What was the international reaction? Many world leaders have expressed their condolences and offered support to Morocco. Turkey, hit by a devastating earthquake earlier this year that killed tens of thousands of people, has said it is ready to hire 265 staff and 1,000 Sending tents to Morocco to support relief efforts. Algeria, which severed diplomatic relations with Morocco in 2021 and closed its government, said it would reopen its airspace for humanitarian aid and medical flights to and from the Arab country. The United Nations, US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron have also said they are ready to provide help. Many other world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed their condolences.