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Rabat – In the wake of the recent earthquake that shook Morocco, French tourist Sarah Frick, who was present in Marrakech during the seismic event, offered a moving testament to the resilience and solidarity she encountered amidst the adversity.
During a televised interview, a French journalist posed a provocative question to Sarah, insinuating that her time in Morocco might be tainted by the earthquake experience, possibly discouraging future visits.
In response to this, Sarah firmly expressed her commitment to return to Morocco, citing the profound acts of kindness and unity she had personally witnessed.
“You’re leaving Morocco tomorrow, you’re going home. Will you come back Sarah? Or for you, in short, Morocco is over?” the journalist asked Sarah.
In response, Sarah, who is a journalist at French media outlet “Factuel,” recalled the initial shock of the seismic event while stressing that what stood out most to her were the heartwarming and heroic acts of solidarity that followed.
She spoke with gratitude about the “wave of solidarity and kindness” she received from Moroccans during these trying times. In particular, she highlighted the exceptional kindness of taxi drivers who not only refused payment for their services but also went out of their way to ensure her safety.
Sarah further recounted a visit to a local bank where a taxi driver insisted on waiting for her and then safely returning her to her location free of charge. These acts of compassion from local residents left a profound impression on her.
Read also: Morocco’s Earthquake Death Toll Jumps to 2,497 Victims
She also emphasized the power of digital networks and social media in organizing support. Locals and tourists alike used these platforms to share important information about risk areas and to coordinate assistance efforts.
Sarah herself had played a key role in this network of support. She recounted an incident where she had received a distress call from a village in the mountains. Several people were trapped under rubble, desperate for help.
Sarah had taken immediate action, rallying other tourists to their aid. The collective response led to the arrival of a helicopter, ultimately saving lives.
She then made a heartfelt declaration to return, saying that it is imperative to stand in solidarity with the Moroccan people and to demonstrate that fear would not deter future visits.
In times of trouble, “we must show them that we stand with them and that we are not afraid, despite what happened,” she said.
This heartwarming story of solidarity comes amidst a backdrop of a wider pattern in French media attempting to spread false and negative narratives following the tragic earthquake.
For instance, French news channel BFMTV raised concerns about the perceived delay in Morocco’s response to France’s aid offer, leading to speculations of a possible refusal.
Moroccan journalist and former Director of Information at 2M TV channel, Samira Sitail, responded to the misconceptions, stressing that the issue at hand was not Morocco’s refusal of aid but rather the fact that Moroccan authorities had not yet responded to the French aid proposal.
In addition, she stressed that the focus should be on the urgent humanitarian response in the aftermath of such a horrendous tragedy, rather than unnecessary political speculation.
