THE MOROCCO EARTHQUAKE AFTERMATH | PHOTO COURTESY: CNN
Rescuers face a pressing deadline as they comb through the debris over 48 hours after Morocco’s deadliest earthquake in over six decades. This catastrophic event claimed the lives of 2,901 people, wreaking havoc on villages nestled in the High Atlas Mountains, while over 5,000 individuals remain unaccounted for.
Experts in seismology are cautioning that Morocco will continue to experience aftershocks for weeks, if not months, following the 6.8 magnitude earthquake. Remy Mossu, the director of the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, issued a stern warning, noting that the country has already endured more than 25 aftershocks. “Aftershocks are not a probability, but a certainty,” he emphasized.
In the midst of this crisis, some villagers are grappling with the grim challenge of finding suitable burial space for their deceased loved ones, as funeral preparations collide with ongoing rescue operations. Meanwhile, others are making provisions for additional graves to accommodate the expected influx of bodies.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco expressed gratitude to Spain, Qatar, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates for their assistance. The UK government, in particular, has pledged to send 60 search and rescue specialists along with four search dogs to aid in the relief efforts.
The road to recovery from the earthquake’s devastation is a long one, with the Red Cross estimating that repairs may take several years to complete.