Powerful earthquake in Morocco
The magnitude 7 earthquake that occurred overnight from Friday to Saturday in Morocco left 2,122 dead and 2,421 injured, according to a new report made public on Sunday by the Moroccan Interior Ministry. More than half of the deaths were recorded in the provinces of Al Haouz (1,293) and Taroudant (452), two mountainous rural areas in the heart of the High Atlas, according to the ministry, noting the continuation of rescue operations .
Rabat declared a three-day national mourning on Saturday, the royal cabinet announced in a press release published on Saturday by the official MAP agency.
In the village of Tafeghaghte, almost completely destroyed by the earthquake whose epicenter was only about fifty kilometers away, rescuers were able to remove a body from a house in ruins, according to an AFP team . But four others are still buried under rubble, according to residents.
“Everyone is gone, my heart hurts, I’m inconsolable” breaks down in tears, Zahra Benbrik, 62, who claims to have lost 18 loved ones.
“All that's left is my brother's body under the debris, I can't wait for them to get him out so I can mourn in peace,” she sighs.
According to public television, “more than 18,000 families were affected” by the earthquake in the province of Al-Haouz, where more than half of the deaths (1,351) were recorded. Tents were set up in several villages to shelter these families.
In Marrakech, many residents rushed to hospitals to donate blood for the victims.
“It's really nice to see all this from citizens, and even foreigners who have nothing to do with the drama here came to donate blood,” said Youssef Qornafa, a student who donated blood in a center.
Sources:
Source Solène L'Hénoret et Pierre Bouvier (Le Monde)
Kaouthar Oudrhiri - Agence France-Presseà Tafeghaghte
