Shillong, Sept 09: A massive earthquake of 6.8 intensity rattled the north African country of Morocco on Friday night, killing over 300 people and injuring hundreds.
The quake struck 44 miles (71 kilometres) southwest of Marrakesh at a depth of 18.5 kilometres at 11:11 pm (2211 GMT), the US Geological Survey said. An aftershock of magnitude-4.9 hit around 20 minutes later.
BREAKING 🚨 Atleast 300 people were killed and 153 injured as a powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake jolted #Morocco on Friday night, according to media reports.
Bharat’s PM MODI has offered all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/sr8LUNM7OW
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) September 9, 2023
The tremor damaged buildings from the historic city of Marrakech to villages in the Atlas Mountains, and cut-off electricity and roads in some places, especially in Marrakech. Men, women and children stayed out in the streets, fearing aftershocks.
Morocco’s Interior Ministry, early on Saturday morning, confirmed the death of atleast 296 people and shifting of 153 injured people to hospital.
Till the filing of this report, the death toll was reported to be over 300 but an official statement was awaited.
The earthquake was also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca and Essaouira.
#Earthquake (#زلزال) confirmed by seismic data.⚠Preliminary info: M3.3 || 74 km SW of #Marrakech (#Morocco) || 24 min ago (local time 04:50:24). Follow the thread for the updates👇 pic.twitter.com/4yX35RUbvT
— EMSC (@LastQuake) September 9, 2023
Moroccan media said it was the most powerful earthquake to hit the country to date.
In 2004, at least 628 people were killed and 926 injured when a quake hit Al Hoceima in northeastern Morocco.
PM Modi pained by loss of lives
As world leaders expressed their shock and grief over the natural calamity, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, said he was extremely pained by the loss of lives due to the major earthquake in Morocco and officer to all possible assistance to the grief-stricken nation.
“Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time,” PM Modi said on X, formerly twitter.
Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023
Also read: Ex-Andhra CM N Chandrababu Naidu arrested on corruption charges in Skill Development scam case
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