The death toll in Morocco’s earthquake exceeds 2,000 people as rescue efforts continue

The death toll from the earthquake that struck Morocco last Friday stands at 2,012 people and the number of injured at 2,059, according to data collected by the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior up to 10pm local time yesterday.

In a statement, the government said that of the total number of injured, 1,404 were in serious condition.

According to this latest official data, casualties were recorded in a dozen provinces: Al Haouz, -south of Marrakech and close to the epicenter-, with 1,293 deaths, followed by Taroudant (452 ​​deaths), Chichaoua (191 deaths), Ouarzazate (41 ), Marrakech (15), Azilal (11), Agadir (5), Casablanca (3), Al Youssufia (1) and in Tinguir (1).

The seismic warning bulletin issued by the Moroccan National Institute of Geophysics explains that the earthquake, with a magnitude of 7, shook the northern Moroccan region of Marrakech and occurred at a depth of 8 kilometers on Friday at 11:11 pm local time.

Lur Uribarren, mountain guide, from Marrakech: “We were very scared, it was crazy”

It had its epicenter in the town of Ighil, about 80 kilometers southwest of the city of Marrakech.

To rescue

The General Staff of the Moroccan Armed Forces has declared full mobilization and emergency and civil protection services continue to mobilize resources to care for the injured and affected and try to rescue people trapped under the rubble, while authorities analyze the severity of the damage.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has already started locating the roads cut off by the damage caused by the earthquake so that they can then be repaired. The ministry has mobilized all its personnel and material resources to reopen the affected points to traffic.

Moreover, the population has already been asked to go to blood donation centers to care for the injured. The Transfusion Center of the Mohamed VI Hospital in Buskura, Casablanca, has opened a blood donation unit that has been operational since 10am on Saturday.

The Marrakech Regional Blood Transfusion Center has also called for blood donations to women and men over the age of 18.

Meanwhile, NGOs and political parties have launched fundraising campaigns to help victims in Rabat, Salé and Kenitra and the National Association of Private Clinics has made all its resources available to the authorities to help the victims.

Basques in Morocco

The first plane carrying Basque passengers arrived at Loiu airport this morning and travelers were shocked and affected by what they had experienced. The Basque government reported yesterday that there is currently no data on Basque victims.