More than 2,100 people were killed in the High Atlas Mountains earthquake on Sunday, making it the deadliest in Morocco in more than 60 years. Rescue workers raced against the clock on Monday to discover survivors in the rubble.
Spanish and British rescue workers have joined forces to look for survivors of Friday night’s 6.8-magnitude earthquake, which hit around 72 kilometres (45 miles) southwest of Marrakesh.
After the strongest earthquake to hit Morocco since at least 1900, several survivors were forced to spend a third night in the open. State TV announced late on Sunday that 2,122 people had died and 2,421 had been injured.
Hamid ben Henna of Tafeghaghte related how his son, eight years old at the time, died under the rubble while trying to retrieve a knife from the kitchen after dinner. The remainder of the clan made it out alive.
People have been digging with their own hands in the rubble of their homes, trying to find loved ones, and rescuing things from the wreckage.
Conspicuous signs of the destruction of Morocco’s historical sites have emerged in recent years. World Heritage Site buildings in Marrakech were destroyed. The 12th-century Tinmel Mosque, located in a remote mountain location near the epicentre, apparently sustained substantial damage during the earthquake.
Those who survived the disaster but are still looking for food and water have complained about the government’s delayed reaction.
The Moroccan government has responded by sending in the army to help with search and rescue operations, water delivery, and the distribution of food, shelter, and other necessities.
On Sunday, state television announced that the administration is considering accepting foreign aid and will coordinate it if necessary.
Britain and Spain have dispatched search and rescue experts with sniffer dogs. On Sunday, Qatar reported that its rescue team had left for Morocco. Spain has confirmed that it has received an official request for assistance from Morocco.
France, one of the countries eager to help, said on Sunday that it was waiting for a formal request from Morocco before taking action.
State TV said on Sunday that King Mohammed VI praised Spain, Qatar, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates for their humanitarian packages. Before accepting aid, Morocco had evaluated its own needs and thought about how best to coordinate with other countries.
Many homes were constructed of mud bricks, lumber, cement, and breeze blocks, all of which were prone to collapse. At least 12,000 people were killed, making this the deadliest earthquake to hit the North African country since 1960.
