Morocco hit into a dominant earthquake on Friday night, took life of more than about 2,000 people. And start off with panic-stricken rescue from the wreckage-scattered city street and some rural areas of the mountain debris, residents sifted with empty hands.
With about a magnitude of 6.8 and mainly positioned on about 50 miles of the southern city of Marrakesh, which tolerated with the strongest hit of the century in this area. According to the survey made by ‘US Geological Survey’ – It undulated through the center of country in centuries, not only the area of Marrakesh but also indulged in Agadir, resort on Atlantic coasts of Morocco’s, a south-east major city.
But in the count of most affected areas where the rural ones, with numerous houses made of mud bricks and such traditional creation are extremely in risk to earthquakes and heavy rainfall can also be vulnerable for Morocco
Reflecting on the Tragedy: Impact of the deadly Morocco earthquake
Impacts of the vulnerable earthquake on Morocco were heavy damages, the sights of destruction were unfurling through the state. The whole city went into dust within few moments, all the residents ran out in open are hearing the siren. In the rubble street most of the buildings were turning to dust, crumbled around in red mud dust of the walled old city or mainly known as medina.
In the rural areas, of Morocco people climbed ran through the canyons in-between time of collapse in the area, for the sake of their life. Most of the houses cascaded across roads and towns people ran for their lives. About 30 miles of Marrakesh of south-west to Amizmiz town falls near the epicenter of earthquake.
What were the words of Yasmina Bennani a journalist over this massive quake of Morocco? – “In the Friday night, I went to sleep, when I heard the loud noise. The walls trembled by the vibration, lamps, vases broken down, ceilings where falling down, everywhere dust and debris clogged the ways – it was absolutely traumatizing” said by Yasmina Bennani, age 38.
Ms. Bennani is like the other usual people lives in mud brick house and shared her horrifying experiences that though the earthquake didn’t last long but it reflected impact of years long.
After inspecting areas slowly total number of people killed ranged to 2,012 and according to the Moroccan Interior Ministry, said about 2,059 people are injured. Firstly, the impact size wasn’t clear yet though estimated power of the quake was about 6.8 magnitude, but also said 7.2 by the Moroccan geological institute. Which if being exact is the logarithmic scale which makes it twice the large as measured.
U.S. agency over the readings of the earthquakes states – “the main readings of the earthquake measured and reviewed by seismologists but till then the local readings state to be more accurate about the effect of magnitudes over the land.”
Marrakesh rural outside area hit the hardest with the vibration and on Saturday damage contours were more visible and made it clear statement over being the main area to be affected by the catastrophe extensively. In Haouz the death rate increases heavily which includes parts of High Atlas Mountain.
Responses of the government and international aid organization
Statements of the United Nations office’ of coordinating with Humanitarian Affairs – “About 300,000 civilians in Marrakesh and its suburbs affected by earthquake. Families trapped in wreckages of houses in parts of Medina of Marrakesh.” – UNESCO World Heritage Site reported. Multiple earthen households which were not ready to handle such disastrous vibration in areas of epicenter.
President Biden on Saturday also shared his statement – “working expeditiously to ensure American citizens in Morocco be safe and ready to offer help towards the Moroccan citizens.” Said by Biden.
The Moroccan National Order of Architects former president Omar Farkhani statement on Moroccan earthquake – “Such heavily affected areas, were the residents couldn’t afford for the architect for building houses and eventually end with low-skilled workers.”
Another statement by Anass Amazirh architect of northern city Casablanca, – “as per the conditions of the building the effect of the earthquake was as much expected,” there were videos showing residents running out of the shaking earth and reports of immediate casualties were still not made.
Areas with the highest range of destruction led to be toughest for the rescuers to look as all over the red craggy dust of fragments and mud bricks. According to 2M of Morocco’s state-run media the countryside lanes where mostly blocked by the fallen shards. Most areas were out of electricity and telephonic amenities.
No statement was reported from the Moroccan leader king Mohammed VI, for about 12 hours straight after the earthquake disaster. After when addressed toward the matter didn’t he mentioned any feelings over the people, but shortly announced the armed forces to help in rescuing the efforts. Most of the days rarely the citizens hear about whereabouts rather than him attending any official events.
Moroccan army forces being reportedly helping with rescue teams over highly damaged areas. And the citizens of the state main issues indicate towards the economy as they had been suffering a lot lately for last few years.
Reflecting the sufferings of the country in last few years.
As the Moroccan country had to face a lot in few past years from the pandemic which really affected the tourism industry on ice, drought over the agriculture suffered them a lot and moreover the Russia-Ukraine war be the secondary on price of imported wheat and other goods elevated.
Before pandemic the gross percent of tourism industry was 7 of the domestic products and jobs in country led to be around 565,000 – 37 million people. This was according to the Economic Cooperation and Development organization which mainly surrounds the region of Marrakesh.
Countries like Taiwan, Israel to Algeria offered help quickly in which France been the former power of Morocco to do so. Even they send firefighters to help rescue in region of Marrakesh. As said by the mayor of southern French port of Marseille, opened the crisis hotline of the French Embassy in Morocco. As Marrakesh is a sister-city to them.
Final thoughts: Remembering the lives lost and striving for a safer tomorrow
Heartbreaking scenarios where in front of Moroccan citizens and people over there. Many prayed while heard sounds of things breaking. Many people where wandering in search of their families’ lot on Moroccan television witnessed their family being dead in the earthquake. Most of the voices were stating “Everything I had is now gone”. A depress situation is covered on the citizens of Morocco. One even recalled the named of her family which she lost in – “Mustapha, Hassan, Ilhem, Ghizlaine, Ilyes”
One small mud brick house been home to 1000 of people all in state of crumble. Due such horrific event entire village had spent their night on street in open.
Geological survey calls it “Uncommon but not Unexpected.” The range of collision were about 4-6 millimeter, about third of its population perished in Agadir all the restaurants, building where leveled to ground with people buried down still to be rescued or even could be dead.
We pray for the speedy rescue and recovery over the huge region of Morocco and hoping for not be anymore increase in numbers of death.
