Morocco holds 3 days of national mourning for earthquake victims

SGGP September 11, 2023 08:41

According to CNN news agency, as of September 10, more than 2,000 people were killed and more than 1,400 injured in the earthquake that occurred on the evening of September 8 in Marrakech, Morocco.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said more than 300,000 people were affected by strong aftershocks in Marrakech and surrounding areas. The death toll is expected to rise as rescuers reach collapsed homes in a remote area of ​​the High Atlas Mountains, according to Morocco's Interior Ministry . Morocco has declared three days of national mourning for the victims of the worst tragedy since 2004.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake was caused by the movement of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. These two tectonic plates are converging at a rate of about 4.9 mm per year. Earthquakes are not common in North Africa, so Morocco was not really prepared to deal with such a disaster. Most of the structures in this country, especially the countryside and old cities, are not built to withstand strong earthquakes.

Jonathan Stewart, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California (Los Angeles, USA), predicts that there will be several more strong aftershocks with high intensity. Mr. Stewart said that there is another possibility, although very unlikely, that the September 8 earthquake could be a precursor to an even stronger earthquake. The Marrakech city government has also warned people to pay attention to the next earthquakes due to the risk of more aftershocks.

The regional blood transfusion center in Marrakesh has called on people to donate blood to save the injured. The international community has joined forces to support Morocco. France has activated its emergency aid system while Israeli emergency services are preparing to mobilize in Morocco. The United Arab Emirates has announced the establishment of an “air bridge” to deliver supplies. Algeria has reopened its airspace to humanitarian and medical flights. Turkey is also sending personnel and tents.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/morocco-de-quoc-tang-3-ngay-tuong-nho-nan-nhan-tham-hoa-dong-dat-post705091.html