The National Center for Science and Technology Research (CNRSD) in Rabat was hit by an earthquake on Friday. It was recorded at 23.11 local time and 7 on the Richter scale. After 19 minutes, an aftershock of magnitude 4.9 occurred.
According to Moroccan media, it is A very powerful earthquakeHe has visited this country so far. It was also the deadliest earthquake since 2004, when the death toll exceeded 600.
As a result of the earthquake, many buildings were destroyed in mountain villages and in historic Marrakesh, and people spent the night in the open, still afraid to return to their homes.
Most of the victims died in inaccessible mountainous areas, a local official was quoted as saying by Reuters. The Associated Press, in turn, writes that most of the victims died in Marrakech and five provinces near the epicenter of the earthquake.
Relief work is progressing slowly as the roads leading to the hill are blocked by a large number of cars and fallen rocks.
Head of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau said there was no information yet that Polish citizens were among the victims.
The historic city was destroyed. “Panic Outbreak”
Residents of Marrakesh, near the epicenter of the quake, said some buildings in the old city had collapsed, according to Reuters, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
– The ground shook for about 20 seconds. One of the witnesses of the disaster said that the door opened and closed by itself as I ran down from the second floor.
CNN reporter Benjamin Brown is on site. The journalist was on the roof of his hotel when the ground began to shake. He reports that it took a few seconds for everyone to realize what was happening. As distraught residents realized the extent of the destruction, panic broke out.
– I saw many people from their houses on stretchers or covered with carpets. Some of them had severe head injuries and a lot of blood, Brown said. He added that an ambulance refused to accept the injured woman as it was already full.
According to a CNN reporter, the historic walls around the center of old Marrakech were destroyed. The construction dates back to the early 12th century.
. “Hardcore internet junkie. Award-winning bacon ninja. Social media trailblazer. Subtly charming pop culture advocate. Falls down a lot.”