In the so-called holiday paradise of Morocco, countless Austrians were suddenly catapulted into earthquake hell on Saturday night. They report to the Crown about panic, collapsing houses and a sense of doom and gloom.
At exactly 12:11 on Saturday evening, the world of almost 300 Austrians currently in Morocco was torn upside down. Walls wobbled, tourists and expats were torn from their beds. “It was rumbling wildly, but everything is going well,” media professional Roland Puck reported directly from a hotel in hard-hit Marrakesh. Travel blogger Robert Puchner spent two hours outside at night in the coastal town of Safi.
“I thought the ceiling was collapsing”
The well-known Graz gallery owner Helmut Reinisch also experienced the earthquake in Marrakech, about 70 kilometers from the epicenter: “Suddenly there was a terrible rumbling, the walls buckled. I thought the ceiling was collapsing. Then I heard people screaming.”
The entire area was full of sand, says Reinisch, who used to trade in carpets, knows the Orient well and travels to Morocco every few weeks for work. “There is a small square about 100 meters from my house where people have gathered in panic. They wrapped themselves in blankets and slept outside. It was a doomsday atmosphere, people strongly associated the event with Allah. I sat outside for a long time trying to calm down old neighbors.”
At Reinisch there was hardly any damage, only a few glasses fell and some plaster came loose. “Lots of stones and bricks fell in the area. Yet I am surprised that it is no longer broken.” Reinisch will travel back to Styria on Monday.
“It didn’t stop shaking”
Stephen Reifeltshammer is in shock. When the earth shook, the Salzburg entrepreneur was sitting with his daughter on a roof terrace in Marrakech: “From one moment everything shook. It wouldn’t stop shaking. An entire house collapsed right next to us. Immediately everything was full of dust. We barely saw anything and felt our way to the exit. Parts of the wall fell onto the street right and left. Other people also ran outside in panic and screaming.”
They found shelter with other people on a square. “Injured people everywhere. There was no telephone or internet connection.” On Saturday, the Salzburg resident took the train with his daughter to Casablanca, 215 kilometers away.
Austria promises help
There is also a small ‘all-clear’ statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The remaining Austrians are probably doing well so far, but an employee of the embassy in Rabat still went to the crisis area to provide support. Help is also offered by official Austria. Chancellor Karl Nehammer, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (all ÖVP) expressed their displeasure in a joint statement: “Austria will help at any time where help is needed in the disaster areas of Morocco.” The federal military is ready, Tanner confirmed.
Meanwhile, the Red Cross appealed for donations. “Injured people and people who have lost everything need help quickly,” called on President Gerald Creator.
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.
