LIVE — Morocco earthquake death toll doubles – DW – 09/09/2023

Germany’s Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) is mobilizing for possible relief efforts in Morocco after the deadly earthquake.

“We are observing the situation and are currently preparing for a possible deployment,” a spokesperson for THW said. 

Morocco has not yet requested help from the EU or Germany after the disaster.  

The head of the African Union Commission expressed “great pain” over the deadly earthquake in Morocco.

“I learnt with great sadness of the tragic consequences of the earthquake that hit the kingdom of Morocco,” Commision chair Moussa Faki Mahamat said, expressing his “sincere condolences” to the king, the Moroccan people and the families of the victims.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been among other world leaders reacting to Morocco’s deadly earthquake. 

“All my solidarity and support to the people of Morocco in the wake of this terrible earthquake… Spain is with the victims of this tragedy and its families,” he wrote on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a social media post: “We are all devastated after the terrible earthquake in Morocco. France stands ready to help with first aid.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also expressed his sympathy. 

“We stand by our Moroccan brothers and sisters with all our resources on this difficult day,” Erdogan said in a post on social media. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country “stands in solidarity with Morocco during this tragic time.”

At least 632 people have died from the earthquake, Moroccan state TV reported, citing the Moroccan Ministry of Interior. Earlier figures put the death toll at 296. 

At least 329 people have been injured from the disaster. 

AP journalist Mosa’ab Elshamy is near Marrakech and told DW’s Michael Okwu that people in cities across the country spent the night outside their homes following the earthquake and said there had been extensive damage.

“There is a sense of real tragedy … with more casualties expected, there are still people stuck under rubble in many of those villages in the Atlas Mountains.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, along with other world leaders, offered sympathies following the deadly quake. 

Scholz said “our thoughts are with the victims of this devastating earthquake” in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. 

European Council President Charles Michel posted on X that the “EU stands ready to support Morocco in these difficult moments.”  

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered his condolences. 

“Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco,” Modi said on X. “In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones.”   

A massive earthquake shook Morocco on Friday evening, leaving hundreds dead.

“According to a provisional report, the earthquake killed 296 in the provinces and municipalities of al-Haouz, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant,” the Moroccan Interior Ministry said in a statement. 

The US Geological Survey found the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it struck at 11:11 p.m. (2211 GMT).  

The quake reportedly impacted historic buildings in Marrakech, such as the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque.

The epicenter of the earthquake was in the Atlas Mountains.  

kb/wd (AFP, AP, Reuters, dpa)