Caroline Holt, the global Head of operations at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has stated that rescuing people trapped under the rubble is “critical” at this moment.
This came while rescue efforts continued in Morocco on Sunday, September 10, 2023, as the country began three days of mourning for the victims of the earthquake that occured on Friday, September 8, 2023, night.
The government reported that at least 2,012 people were killed and more than 2,059 injured, many of them critically. A lot of buildings have been reduced to rubble.
Al-Haouz province, situated above the epicentre of the earthquake, recorded the most deaths;1,293, followed by the province of Taroudant with 452 deaths.
Morocco’s geophysical centre disclosed that the quake was centred in Ighil in al-Haouz with a magnitude of 7.2. The U.S Geological Survey set the quake’s magnitude at 6.8 and said that it was at a relatively shallow depth of 11.5 miles.
Remote villages have been badly hit by the quake, and rescue teams are facing challenges in reaching them.
“This response has very much been organised with the Moroccan government taking the lead at this point,” Holt told reporters.
“Search and rescue is critical at this point. Catching people buried under the rubble at this moment is a race against time. I don’t think we know the full picture of the extent of the injuries, and the number of deaths and survivors yet.”
Caroline Holt
Meanwhile, Spain sent a plane with 56 rescuers and four search dogs to Morocco on Sunday after it received a formal request for help from Rabat, its defence ministry disclosed.
Yhe ministry noted in a post on X, formerly called Twitter, that an A400 military plane took off from a base in the northeastern city of Zaragoza with the team bound for Marrakesh to “help in the search and rescue of survivors of the devastating earthquake suffered in our neighbouring country.”
The rescuers belong to Spain’s Military Emergencies Unit, a body of the armed forces that was created to intervene quickly in emergency situations such as forest fires, floods and earthquakes.
Prime Minister of Morocco Pledges Relief Measures
Also on Sunday, the Prime Minister of Morocco, Aziz Akhannouch, issued a statement expressing his condolence and a promise of relief efforts.
“I offer my sincere condolences to the families of the earthquake victims and wish recovery to the injured,” Akhannouch said.
“We continue to take measures in the implementation of royal directives aimed at following up and supporting relief efforts…In this great tragedy, I acknowledge the tremendous efforts made by the public authorities with great professionalism and great mobilisation.”
Aziz Akhannouch
Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu sent his and the nation’s condolences to Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and the citizens of Morocco.
Opening an Israeli cabinet meeting, he reminded his ministers that the disaster has killed more than 2,000 people so far.
He added, “The state of Israel will render all possible assistance to Morocco, including, if requested, a rescue mission that is standing ready to help them. The state of Israel stands beside Morocco at this difficult time.”
Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan also stated that his country is ready to assist Morocco “with all means.”
Furthermore, French President, Emmanuel Macron disclosed that he is ready to send help if Morocco’s government requests it.
“We have mobilised all technical and security teams to be able to intervene when the Moroccan authorities deem it useful,” Macron noted.
