The earth shook violently in the heart of Morocco on Friday night. An earthquake with an epicenter in the Marrakech region Magnitude 6.8 on the Richter scale and depth of 20 kilometersAccording to initial estimates, more than 820 people died and at least 672 were injured, 205 seriously, according to updated figures from the Moroccan Interior Ministry. It is the strongest earthquake recorded in the Atlas Mountains in the last century. It was felt in the southern coastal cities of Essaouira and Agadir and in Ouarzazate further inland.
Spain was one of the first countries to offer assistance after the tragedy. The Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albaresspoke to his counterpart early in the morning, Wet bouritaand with the Moroccan ambassador in Madrid, Karima Benyaich, to express condolences and make the Spanish government available to Rabat. The foreign minister, present at the G20 summit in New Delhi, said he had no evidence that Spanish citizens were among those killed or injured in the earthquake. From Foreign Affairs they assure that there was no rush in making the announcement and that “all possible precautions” have been taken in the statements at this time.
Foreign sources indicate that Spain provided both initial rescue assistance and temporary reconstruction assistance. However, this is not known to be the case No request for help from Morocco. The Moroccan embassy in Spain confirms these contacts but is awaiting instructions from Rabat. Meanwhile the king Mohammed VI announced the deployment of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) on Saturday morning to begin rescue and relief efforts.
Spain has a registered colony in Morocco with up to 18,000 inhabitants. However, the government is not aware of any people in transit, whether for tourist or professional reasons, who are not included in the consular register. In Spain, too, almost 1 million Moroccan citizens are waiting for news.
The Spanish embassy in Rabat and all consulates, especially those in Marrakech and Casablanca, the province most affected by the earthquake, are affected in contact with local authorities and hospitals in the areaForeign sources emphasize. The government has made EMU and its entire rescue capacity available. “At this time there is no reason to speak of any relationship other than that of friendship and solidarity with a neighbor who has suffered a tragedy,” they emphasize from Foreign Affairs. “Any kind of recommendation depends on what Morocco tells us.”
From Marrakech you can depart by land and arrive at Casablanca Airport. This is what the authorities recommend. However, traffic at the airport was restricted to facilitate the arrival of relief and rescue teams from outside.
Telephones available in the area:
- Consular emergency number: 910001249
- Consular emergency number of the Consulate General of Casablanca: +212660488848
- Telephone number of the Consulate General activated for this emergency: +212665807977