President Yoweri Museveni has expressed his condolences to the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Morocco, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives and displacement of many.
In a heartfelt message on his official twitter account, he stated: “It is with deep sadness that I learned of the tragic and devastating earthquake that struck our brotherly kingdom of Morocco on the night of September 8th, 2023. This catastrophic event claimed the lives of over 2,000 people and left countless others injured.”
Adding that “On behalf of the People of Uganda and myself, I extend our heartfelt condolences to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and all the people of Morocco who have been affected by this terrible disaster. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult and trying time, and we earnestly pray for the swift healing of those who are injured and the recovery of the affected communities. May the Almighty God grant eternal peace to the souls of the departed. ”
This earthquake, which struck on Friday, is the deadliest to hit Morocco in over six decades, as reported by EM-DAT, an international disaster database. It is also the most powerful earthquake in terms of magnitude to the Moroccan territory in more than a century.
While the final casualty figures are still being updated, it has been revealed that over 2400 people have died so far. The earthquake’s death toll has now risen to 2,497, according to the interior ministry.
The province of Al Haouz, where the earthquake’s impact was most severe, has witnessed nearly 1,500 fatalities. This region, situated at the southern base of the Atlas Mountains, along with other affected areas, comprises remote villages and settlements that have proven challenging for rescuers to access.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by blocked roads, making it impossible for heavy lifting equipment to reach the remote villages near the epicenter in the Atlas Mountains. Many communities lie in ruins, with local residents anxiously awaiting assistance.
The Moroccan government has accepted aid from several countries, including Britain, Spain, Qatar, and the UAE.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI has declared three days of mourning following the incident.
This earthquake, the deadliest in Morocco in six decades, struck beneath villages in the High Atlas mountains, located to the south of Marrakesh.
In 1960, Morocco experienced a 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered in Agadir, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 12,000 lives and 25,000 injuries.
This is the third deadliest earthquake in North Africa since at least 1900, according to data from EM-DAT.
In 1980, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake followed by a tsunami in Algeria caused over 2,600 deaths and extensive damage.