Morocco earthquake: More than 1000 dead after 6.8 magnitude quake strikes near Marrakesh

Congo and Gambia's African Cup of Nations qualifier in Marrakesh will go ahead as scheduled on Sunday despite the powerful earthquake that struck the city on Friday night, which has so far killed more than 1000 people and injured hundreds more.

However, Saturday's match between Morocco and Liberia in Agadir, some 260km away from the quake epicentre, has been postponed.

The Congo and Gambia squads spent the night sleeping beside their respective hotel pools after the magnitude 7.2 quake that struck in Morocco's High Atlas mountains and damaged buildings in nearby Marrakesh. It was the country's deadliest tremor in more than six decades.

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Palestine sending rescuers to Morocco after deadly earthquake hits

The Palestinian Authority is sending rescuers to Morocco, where an earthquake has killed over 1,000 people.

"President Mahmoud Abbas has instructed Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh to dispatch rescue, relief and civil defence teams to Morocco to provide all possible aid to the victims," the official Wafa news agency reported.

"President Abbas has also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the people of Morocco and their leadership, affirming that the Palestinian people stand in solidarity with their Moroccan brothers and sisters during this difficult time."

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Algeria says it will open air space for humanitarian aid to Morocco, despite contentious relations

Algeria, which broke off ties with Morocco two years ago, said on Saturday it would open its air space for humanitarian and medical flights to Morocco, after a major earthquake there that killed over 800 people.

Algeria severed diplomatic relations with Morocco in 2021, citing what it said were “hostile acts”. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said earlier this year that relations between the North African neighbours had reached “a point of no return”. Algeria has long supported the Polisario Front, which seeks to create a separate state in Western Saharah, which is officially part of Morocco. 

In a statement on Morocco's quake, Algeria's presidency said it was ready to provide humanitarian aid and offer all its material and human capabilities in solidarity with the brotherly Moroccan people, if Morocco requests such help.

(The New Arab Staff and Reuters)

'Hopefully my blood can save someone's life'

The New Arab's Morocco correspondent Basma El Atti reports on how Moroccans have been rallying to help the thousands injured in the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck the country on Saturday:

Saturday morning, hundreds are queuing in front of the Marrakech blood donating centre after health authorities called on all eligible citizens to donate blood amid the ongoing tragedy.

“Our house was damaged but nothing major, only a few cracks in some walls. I feel very grateful and privileged that my family is safe. I came today to try to help those who were affected, hopefully my blood can save someone’s life,” Marwa, a 35-year-old Moroccan from Marrakech, told the The New Arab

Morocco death toll tops 1000, according to the Interior Ministry

The death toll has risen to over 1000, the Moroccan Interior Ministry has said. 

A total of 1,037 people have been confirmed dead, while 1,204 people were injured, of whom 721 are in a critical condition, a ministry statement said.

More leaders, diplomats, global figures around the world have expressed their condolences and support for Morocco as the country faces up to the destruction of the earthquake. 

Europe 

Pope Francis expressed his "profound solidarity" with Morocco after the quake, according to the Vatican.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said "our thoughts are with the victims of this devastating earthquake. Our sympathy goes out to all those affected".

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she "learned with grief of the tragic toll" from the quake and pointed to "Italy's willingness to support Morocco in this emergency".

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed sympathy "with the Moroccan people in the face of the terrible earthquake", while top EU diplomat Josep Borrell said the bloc is ready to provide Morocco "the assistance it wishes".

European Council President Charles Michel wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "that EU stands ready to support Morocco in these difficult moments".

Swiss President Alain Berset expressed his condolences. The country's foreign ministry said it activated a crisis cell and is evaluating sending aid.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his "deepest condolences to HM King Mohammed VI and all Moroccans for the lives lost in the horrible earthquake".

"Ukraine stands in solidarity with Morocco during this tragic time," he said on social media.

Our deepest condolences to HM King Mohammed VI and all Moroccans for the lives lost in the horrible earthquake in the Marrakech region. I wish those injured a fast recovery. Ukraine stands in solidarity with Morocco during this tragic time.

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 9, 2023

Middle East 

Algeria, which broke off diplomatic relations with Morocco in August 2021 at the height of the crisis between the two countries, offered "its sincere condolences to the brotherly Moroccan people for the victims of the earthquake", according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "instructed all government bodies and forces to provide any necessary assistance to the people of Morocco, including the preparations for sending an aid delegation to the area", his office said.

Iran expressed its condolences for the "terrible earthquake", in a statement published on the foreign ministry's website.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said he was "ready to provide any form of assistance to deal with the repercussions of the devastating earthquake".

King of Jordan Abdullah II urged his government to provide all kind of possible assistance to Morocco.

Iranian FM Spokesman Nasser Kanani has expressed sorrow over the powerful earthquake which struck western #Morocco, and expressed condolences to the people & government of this country over the hundreds of lives lost in the tragic happening.https://t.co/W6CsNsciPV pic.twitter.com/Dufi5VIenf

— Iran Foreign Ministry 🇮🇷 (@IRIMFA_EN) September 9, 2023

World bodies 

The head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said he "learnt with great sadness of the tragic consequences of the earthquake that hit the kingdom of Morocco", expressing his "sincere condolences" to the king, the Moroccan people and the families of the victims.

The secretary-general of the Jeddah-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Hissein Brahim Taha, prayed for "mercy on the victims and a speedy recovery for the injured".

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the quake as "heartbreaking", adding: "We stand ready to support the immediate health needs."

Jagan Chapagain, the head of the International Federation for Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) posted on X that "teams from (the Moroccan Red Crescent) responded immediately supporting the affected people".

"My thoughts are with everyone impacted by this disaster. IFRC is ready to support," he wrote.

A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco last night causing widespread damage.

Teams from @MaMrcs responded immediately supporting the affected people.

My thoughts are with everyone impacted by this disaster.

IFRC is ready to support. pic.twitter.com/FRYQqmS5Fg

— Jagan Chapagain (@jagan_chapagain) September 9, 2023

The UK government has pledged to help Morocco "in whatever way we can," Foreign Minister James Cleverly said Saturday, following an earthquake that has killed more than 800 people.

"Devastating news of a substantial earthquake just outside Marrakesh, Morocco," he tweeted. "We stand ready to help our Moroccan friends in whatever way we can."

My thoughts are with everyone affected by the terrible earthquake in Morocco last night.

The UK stands ready to support our Moroccan friends. https://t.co/gmRbIZ2Dcc

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) September 9, 2023

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak later tweeted that "my thoughts are with everyone affected by the terrible earthquake in Morocco last night."

The New Arab's Morocco correspondent Basma El Atti reports how in Rabat, people fled their buildings after they felt the earthquake. Many spent the night outside as rumours of soon-to-hit aftershocks flooded social media. She has spoken to survivors in the city.

“We don’t really know how to act. We are scared if we go back and something happened we can’t make it outside,” Hamza, a 23-year-old Moroccan holding onto his laptop and PlayStation while his family is packing the car with a few suitcases, told the The New Arab.

Hamza’s family spent the night in a garden in Temara, near Rabat, along with other people who felt safer outside.

Spanish football clubs, which have large followings in Morocco, have tweeted messages of support and condolences for the victims of Morocco’s earthquake.

Getafe

Getafe CF wants to send its deepest condolences to the victims of the earthquake in Morocco and all its support to the Moroccan people 🖤 pic.twitter.com/37AwiSkRSR

— Getafe C.F. English (@GetafeCFen) September 9, 2023

Valencia

El @valenciacf desea mostrar sus más sinceras condolencias por las víctimas del terremoto que ha afectado a Marruecos en las últimas horas. Todo nuestro apoyo y fuerza al pueblo marroquí y a los afectados por este devastador seísmo.

— Valencia CF (@valenciacf) September 9, 2023

Real Madrid

Official Announcement.#RealMadrid

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) September 9, 2023

"Real Madrid C.F., its president and Board of Directors express their deepest concern and solidarity with the victims of the earthquake in Morocco in recent hours.
 
Our club extends its condolences to the families of the deceased and all the Moroccan people.
 
Likewise, we wish the injured a speedy recovery and we transmit all of our strength and affection."

Barcelona

From FC Barcelona, we express our full solidarity and strength to the victims of the earthquake that has affected Morocco. 🙏

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 9, 2023

While the earthquake hit the Moroccan countryside hardest, there is terrifying footage of panic as the quake struck urban areas of Marrakech. 
 

A violent earthquake struck Marrakech yesterday night, leaving more than 600 dead and hundreds injured so far. Warnings are continuing regarding aftershocks.
The scene is quite scary, frankly.
Let's pray to Allah to relieve and save them.#زلزال_المغرب pic.twitter.com/pUKkYC132p

— د.عـبدالله العـمـادي (@Abdulla_Alamadi) September 9, 2023

More harrowing survivor accounts of the earthquake in Morocco from The New Arab's correspondent Basma El Atti:

“We were asleep when we felt the house shaking. I rushed my family outside of the house. Thank god none of us was hurt but we lost our house. In our area, they barely saved 5% of the people. It is so bad. People with their bare hands were digging to bring out people who are stuck under the rubble. No one was there to help us.” Hassan, from Amezmiz, 55 kilometres south of Marrakesh, told the The New Arab. 

The New Arab's Morocco correspondent Basma El Atti has spoken to survivors of the of the earthquake awaiting help from authorities.

“We were just done with dinner when it happened. My brother lost his wife and children. They all died. Their house collapsed while they were inside. (...) We lost all of our herd," Abdeslam, Douar Tamakra, near Chichaoua city, 90 km away from Marrakech, told the The New Arab. "We are calling on authorities to rush to help us.” 

The head of the African Union Commission on Saturday expressed "great pain" over the devastating earthquake in Morocco which has claimed more than 800 lives.

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

Comoros President and current AU chair Azali Assoumani expressed his "solidarity" and offered his condolences over the "powerful earthquake that rocked the centre of Morocco".

The Moroccan Interior Ministry says the death toll has now risen to 820, with at least 672 injured. The number of those killed is likely to rise throughout the day.

Following on from Erdogan, more reactions from world leaders and high ranking government officials pour in to offer solidarity with Morocco following the powerful earthquake that struck the North African country's High Atlas mountains late on Friday, killing over 600 people and destroying buildings in the deadliest tremor to hit the country in decades.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking from the G20 summit in New Delhi

"We pray that all the injured people get well soon. The entire world community is with Morocco in this difficult time and we are ready to provide them all possible assistance."

Russian President Vladimir Putin's message to King Mohammed VI 

"Please accept my sincere condolences on the tragic consequences of the devastating earthquake in the central regions of your country. Russia shares the worry and sorrow of the friendly people of Morocco. Please convey words of sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all those who have suffered as a result of this natural disaster."

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock 

"Awful images are reaching us from Morocco. Together with the people of Morocco, we mourn the victims of the terrible earthquake. Our thoughts are with them and all those who are searching for those buried in these hours and fighting for the lives of the many injured."

French President Emmanuel Macron 

"We are all shocked after the terrible earthquake in Morocco. France stands ready to help first aid responses."

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna 

"Solidarity with Morocco and our friends, the Moroccan people after the night's terrible quake. Compassionate thoughts for the victims and their families and admiration for the work of rescue crews who relentlessly help the injured."

Spain's acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez

"All my solidarity with the people of Morocco in the face of the terrible earthquake ... Spain stands with the victims of this tragedy and their families."

Taiwan offers to send firefighters

Taiwan’s fire department says it has put a team of 120 rescuers on standby to go to Morocco who can go the moment they get instructions from Taiwan’s foreign ministry.

United Arab Emirates

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its sincere condolences to the government and people of Morocco, and to the families of the victims of this tragedy, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured. 

(The New Arab Staff and Reuters)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday offered support to Morocco after "this devastating earthquake".

"We will support our Moroccan brothers in every way in this difficult hour," he said in a message on X, formerly known as Twitter.