This Sunday, rescuers accelerated the search for possible survivors trapped under the rubble of devastated towns in Morocco by a violent earthquake, which has already left more than 2,100 dead.
The earthquake that occurred on Friday night, magnitude 6.8 according to the American geological services and 7 according to the Moroccan center for scientific and technical research, it was the most powerful since there are modern records in this northern kingdom of Africa.
The earthquake left at least 2,122 dead and 2,421 injuredaccording to the latest balance sheet from the Ministry of the Interior communicated on Sunday afternoon.
“Public authorities are still mobilized to accelerate rescue operations and evacuation of the injured,” the Ministry of the Interior indicated.
The province of Al Hauz, epicenter of the earthquake, was the hardest hit, followed by Taroudant. In these two areas located southwest of the tourist city of Marrakeshthe shock destroyed entire villages.
On Sunday, many residents went to hospitals in this city to donate blood for the victims.
national mourning
“I lost everything,” lamented Lahcen, a man who lost his wife and four children in the rural town of Moulay Brahim, in the mountainous area of High Atlas.
“The only thing I want is to get away from the world and grieve,” said this father who was saved from dying because he was outside his house at the time of the earthquake.
The town of Tafeghaghte, a few kilometers to the west, was practically destroyed by the earthquake, whose epicenter was located just fifty kilometers away, according to a team of AFP.
“Three of my grandchildren (ages 12, 8 and 4) and their mother died. “They are all under the ruins,” said Omar Benhanna, 72, devastated.
On Saturday, many of the survivors went to the cemetery for the burial of about 70 people, in heartbreaking ceremonies marked by screams and tears.
On Saturday, the kingdom decreed three days of national mourning and leaders from around the world, from Spain and France to Israel and USAsent their condolences to Rabat.
Even Algeriaa neighboring country at odds with Morocco, opened its airspace that has been closed for two years to planes transporting humanitarian aid and evacuating the wounded.
He world Bank He stated that he will give “his total support” to the country.
Spain will send “whatever is needed”
Spain sent a team of 56 rescuers and four search dogs from the Military Emergency Unit (UME) Marrakeshafter receiving a formal request from the Moroccan kingdom, and prepares a second plane.
“We will send what is necessary because everyone knows that these first hours are key, especially if there are people buried under the rubble,” declared Defense Minister Margarita Robles on public television.
Other countries, such as United States, Italy, United Kingdom either Israelalso offered their help to Morocco.
The French president, Emmanuel Macrondeclared on Sunday that France is ready to “intervene” when the Moroccan authorities “deem it necessary.”
Rabat indicated on Sunday afternoon that it accepted the sending of “rescue teams” from Spain, the United Kingdom, Qatar and United Arab Emirates.
The International Red Cross He warned on Saturday that the country’s needs are enormous, and he foresees “many months and even years of response.”
On Saturday night, Moroccan television channels broadcast aerial images of destroyed villages in the Al Haouz area, where the buildings are made of clay.
A few steps from Marrakech’s city hall, where parts of the city’s 12th-century walls are damaged or partially collapsed, some people gathered up the blankets with which they spent the night on the grass.
María, a Spanish tourist, spent the night outside the narrow streets of the old town and prepared to “continue her trip normally” towards Fez, further north.
In addition to affecting Marrakech and the surrounding regions, the tremor was felt in Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir or Easuira, where Many residents left their homes in panic in the middle of the night.
This is the deadliest earthquake to hit this kingdom since the quake that destroyed Agadir, on the west coast, on February 29, 1960. Then, almost 15,000 people died, a third of the city’s population.
(With information from AFP)
Source-www.infobae.com