Over the weekend, there was a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Marrakech, Morocco. This is the biggest earthquake to hit Morocco in over 60 years. Over 2,000 people have been found dead so far, and more are still being recovered. Search and rescue teams are also continuing to search for survivors. There are devastating damages to cities, homes, tourist attractions, and more.
Morocco is best known for its palaces, riads, medinas, and more featuring “intricate designs and captivating artistry.” It is a very popular tourist destination, with over 10 million tourists visiting each year. On Friday, September 8th, at 11:11 pm, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit the High Atlas mountains, which is about 72 kilometers southwest of Marrakech. Marrakech is Morocco’s fourth largest city, with about 840,000 people living there. Just 19 minutes after the earthquake, a magnitude 4.9 aftershock hit.
Several cities and thousands of homes suffered massive destruction, with $34.2 billion estimated in damage so far. Experts believe the earthquake occurred because the African plate moved north and collided with the Eurasian plate. Over 2800 people have been confirmed dead, with bodies still being recovered, as well as more than 2500 people injured. According to NBC News, “The United Nations estimates 300,000 people across the region have been affected…”
The nonprofit organization GlobalGiving has started a fund to provide “food, fuel, clean water, medicine, and shelter” to victims. Over $100,000 has been raised so far. https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/morocco-earthquake-relief-high-atlas-communities/
