Hundreds of people have been killed in a major earthquake in Morocco (magnitude 6.8). The greatest damage occurred outside the cities. Panic and despair are now spreading among the population. Among other countries, official Austria has now responded with offers of help. “These types of disasters require international solidarity and support. Austria will help at any time where help is needed in the disaster areas of Morocco,” emphasizes Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP).
Nehammer, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (all ÖVP) expressed their dissatisfaction about the earthquake in a joint statement on Saturday. “The Ministry of the Interior and Defense is currently taking all precautions to provide support as soon as a corresponding request arises,” Nehammer said.
The federal army is ready for deployment abroad
The armed forces’ disaster response element, the Austrian Forces Disaster Relief Unit (AFDRU), is ready at any time, Tanner emphasized. An AFDRU contingent of the federal army was recently deployed following the devastating earthquake in southern Turkey in early February.
Call for donations from the Red Cross
The Austrian Red Cross called for donations for the earthquake zone on Saturday. “Injured people and people who have lost everything need help quickly,” called on President Gerald Creator. The Moroccan Red Crescent is already supporting with first aid, psychosocial support and evacuation and transport support, according to a press release.
Destroyed buildings
Images and videos from social networks showed destroyed buildings in cities and people sitting on the streets. According to media reports, historical monuments were also damaged. According to eyewitness accounts, the earthquake caused panic among residents of Marrakech, Agadir and other cities. As the newspaper “Le Matin” reported, the earthquake was also felt in Rabat and Casablanca.
International solidarity
In the meantime, there were also expressions of help from the EU. “The EU is ready to support Morocco in these difficult moments,” EU Council President Charles Michel wrote on Twitter (X). European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed her condolences. Germany’s top politician said her whole heart was with the Moroccan people in light of the terrible earthquake.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed “her solidarity and solidarity with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, the families of the victims and the Moroccan people, and expressed Italy’s full readiness to support Morocco in this emergency.”
Switzerland activates crisis team
The German Federal Agency for Technical Assistance (THW) was also preparing to possibly provide assistance in the disaster area. The German ministers responsible for development and external affairs, Svenja Schulze (SPD) and Annalena Baerbock (Greens), were also affected. The Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs (EDA) activated the crisis team on Saturday evening. An offer of aid to the country is being explored, he said. Neighboring countries Spain and Portugal also offered Morocco their help.
In Israel, all ministries were ordered on Saturday to prepare to send an aid delegation, Israeli media reported on Saturday, citing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
