Rabat – Morocco’s Ministry of Interior announced that the 7-magnitude earthquake that struck several Moroccan cities across the country on Friday night caused the death of at least 296.
The data provided is part of a preliminary assessment concluded as of 2 a.m. on Saturday.
Death casualties have been confirmed in the regions and provinces of Al-Houz, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant.
The earthquake also caused injuries among at least 153 people.
The earthquake took place a little before 11:14 p.m. on Friday, leaving millions of Moroccans in a state of panic.
Videos and pictures of the damages caused by the earthquake, particularly in the Marrakech region have been circulating online.
The General Secretary of the Directorate General of Internal Affairs said that the injured people were transported to hospitals for necessary medical care.
The statement reaffirmed that the earthquake also affected several “uninhabited areas,” noting that local authorities including security services are mobilizing all resources to provide necessary aid to people affected while assessing the damages.
The Ministry of Interior also urged citizens to remain calm and avoid panic.
Many took to social media to mourn the death of the victims of the devastating Earthquake.
Others also shared their appeals to Moroccan authorities, condemning inaction and absence of ambulances to transfer injured people.
A heartbreaking video shows the residents of Moulay Brahim, a small town in the Marrakesh-Tensift-El Haouz region of Morocco show people pleading for an immediate rescue operation in the aftermath of the recent powerful earthquake; many individuals remain trapped beneath rubble and require immediate assistance.
In a video shared across various social media platforms, a local resident desperately pleaded for assistance while showcasing the efforts of fellow residents who were trying to rescue those trapped beneath debris.
Unfortunately, there are still no ambulances available to aid the injured, he argued.
