Morocco Earthquake: UAE To Send Aid As Death Toll Tops 810

A powerful 6.8 magnitude quake struck near Marrakesh in Morocco at 23:11 local time on Friday, killing at least 810 people and toppling scores of buildings.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the urgent transportation of relief materials to Morocco after a powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Marrakesh at 23:11 local time on Friday. There was a 4.9 aftershock a few minutes later.

The epicentre was in the High Atlas Mountains at a depth of 18.5 km, according to the US Geological Survey. The death toll has crossed 810, with many of the fatalities believed to be in remote areas. People died in Marrakesh and several areas to the south.

Sheikh Mohamed has directed the opening of an air bridge to assist Morocco, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, instructing the emirate’s police rescue and ambulance teams to help those working to find victims under the rubble.

Global leaders have been offering their condolences. Speaking at the G20 Summit in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the international community would assist Morocco. Spain’s Pedro Sanchez and Emmanuel Macron of France also offered their assistance.

Sheikh Mohamed Wishes Speedy Recovery Ahead To All Those Affected

On Saturday, the UAE president took to X, previously called Twitter, to extend his “deepest condolences to my brother King Mohammed VI and the people of Morocco”. He wished a speedy recovery ahead to all those affected.

Morocco is known to experience frequent tremors, with the last major incident recorded in 2004. It killed 628 people. The latest earthquake struck near midnight, with many people spending the night out in the open as the government had warned against going back into their homes.

There are reports of families trapped under the debris of their homes in Marrakesh and damage to parts of the Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hospitals have seen an influx of injured people and authorities have urged residents to step forward and donate blood.

Also Read: UAE to Sign Major Infrastructure and Railway Deal at G20 Summit

Tremors were also reportedly felt some 350 km away in the capital Rabat, as well as Casablanca and Essaouira. People in neighboring Algeria also experienced the shock waves, but officials said it didn’t trigger any damage to infrastructure or cause casualties.