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By Bisma Hameed
Central Morocco was struck by a 6.8-magnitude earthquake on September 8 around 11:11 pm local time. It had its epicenter in the High Atlas Mountains southwest of Marrakesh. The US Geological Survey estimates that the earthquake lies 18.5 kilometers under the surface. The impacted cities and towns include al-Haouz, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant. This has been reported to be the biggest seismic event to ever hit Morocco.
Impacts of Disaster
This earthquake triggered havoc and devastation in Morocco, where the death and injury toll continues to increase as rescue workers pull out individuals from the ruins. Law enforcement and humanitarian staff, both Moroccan and foreign, have arrived in the district south of Marrakesh that was severely damaged by the magnitude of 6.8 tremor and subsequent aftershocks. According to a report by Al-Jazeera, at least 2,681 people were killed and more than 2,501 injured. The High Atlas Mountains rural communities at the epicenter of the earthquake, which were exposed to the earthquake together with over 320,000 other people, suffered significant damage. Residents are waiting for food, water, and electricity while massive stones have blocked steep mountain routes. Islamic Relief claims that the earthquake seriously damaged Morocco’s health infrastructure and services, rendering hospitals and clinics inoperable as a result of structural damage.
Abdelfattah El Akari, A 19-year-old student, claimed the quake seemed significantly longer, lasting more than a minute “The ground moved and homes cracked” he claimed. As terrified locals sought refuge in the streets, chaos and panic ensued. When they returned to their neighborhoods some cleared rubble with their bare hands and began dragging out bodies one by one. People gathered and grieved outside a community health center as additional fatalities were reported.
Foreign Aid
Assistance requests came in from all around the world almost immediately after news of the earthquake in Morocco on Friday surfaced. However, the nation has thus far been picky about what it has decided to accept. Morocco “responded in this particular phase to offers of support from the friendly nations: Spain, Qatar, the UK, and the United Arab Emirates,” the interior ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
There have been concerns over why Morocco has been lagging to accept other offers despite Spain and the UK sending search and rescue teams with sniffer dogs. French aid is on standby. From its civil protection force, Algeria said it may send 80 specialized rescue personnel. Other countries that have made proposals include the US, Tunisia, Turkey, and Taiwan. But the choice of what kind of help to accept has become mired in geopolitical and sovereignty issues.
Rescue Operations
Following the horrific earthquake that shook Morocco on Friday, which claimed hundreds of lives and left many more injured or missing, rescuers are still sifting through the debris and attempting to reach remote towns. Even if some routes were damaged or obstructed by rubble following the earthquake, emergency personnel were nonetheless sent to the afflicted areas. Ambulances, rescue teams, and soldiers from Morocco have been sent to help with the rescue operations. The Moroccan military forces have also sent rescue personnel to give the victims tents, blankets, food supplies, and clean water to drink. It has been challenging to reach some of the far-flung towns at the mountain’s foot.
Vulnerable Region
Israel comes face-to- a significant seismic risk since it is situated at the meeting point of the African and Arabian tectonic plates. A significant earthquake is imminent, according to experts. State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman presented this warning in a televised speech on Sunday. Due to the government’s lack of preparation for an earthquake, which experts warn might occur here, Israel may soon experience sights similar to the tragic ones seen in Morocco. Dr. Heimann also emphasized the necessity of quick actions, such as drills, long-term planning, and the implementation of a warning system. He outlined three crucial priorities: strengthening public and private buildings, educating the populace, and creating a powerful organization with a significant budget to manage both pre-seismic preparedness and earthquake response.
The writer is a student of BS Peace and Conflict Studies at National Defence University, Islamabad.
