Morocco earthquake live updates: more than 1000 dead and more injured | Latest news
Morocco earthquake: latest news
Moroccan national soccer team gives blood for earthquake casualties
The latest figures from the Moroccan interior ministry reported that 1200 people were injured because of the devastating earthquake and that 721 of those were in a critical condition. Many of the casualties who have survived are in need of blood, with significant numbers of those who avoided harm stepping up to the plate. That includes members of Morocco's national soccer team, who, as we said, have seen Saturday's match against Liberia postponed as a result of the disaster.
Morocco soccer match against Liberia postponed
The Morocco national soccer team, who reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, were due to take on Liberia in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, a match which has been postponed by the Confederation of African Football. The fixture was scheduled to take place on Saturday in Agadir, around 160 miles from the epicentre of the earthquake.
Bizarrely, the game between Gambia and Congo will go ahead on Sunday, even though it is set to be played in Marrakesh. That fixture will be played in Morocco because Gambia don't have a stadium suitable for this level of competition.
Algeria to provide humanitarian aid to Morocco despite cutting ties
Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune has revealed his country's willingness to provide humanitarian aid and help out in any way possible in solidarity with Morocco. That includes opening Algerian airspace to transport humanitarian aid to the injured casualties.
The two countries had cut diplomatic ties in August 2021 because of a number of issues, including an incident in which the Algerian authorities have accused Morocco of having killed in a "barbaric bombardment" three Algerian truck drivers.
Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh survies earthquake
Those comments from professor Bill McGuire in the previous post seemingly don't apply to Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh, which, as this clip shows, remained standing even though a number of other buildings in the surrounding area gave way.
When was the last time Morocco was hit by such a huge earthquake?
Associated Press have reported that Friday's earthquake is the worst to have struck Morocco in 120 years, with building and walls in ancient cities not designed to withstand the pressure put on them by such a powerful force of nature.
Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London, explains: “The problem is that where destructive earthquakes are rare, buildings are simply not constructed robustly enough to cope with strong ground shaking, so many collapse resulting in high casualties. I would expect the final death toll to climb into the thousands once more is known. As with any big quake, aftershocks are likely, which will lead to further casualties and hinder search and rescue.”
Morocco earthquake wipes out village in the Atlas Mountains
Be prepared to see lots and lots of footage like this over the next little while. One woman has shared this horrific video of how an entire village in the Atlas Mountains was wiped out by Friday's earthquake.
How many people have been injured in the Morocco earthquake?
In their latest statement, Morocco's interior ministry also provided an update on the number of injured victims, which they say stands at over 1200.721 of those are said to be in critical condition.
Morocco earthquake death toll passes 1000
As reported by the Associated Press (AP), the Moroccan government have revealed that the death toll from the devastating earthquake has passed 1000, currently standing at 1037.
Sadly, it seems as if that figure will only rise in the coming hours, days and perhaps weeks.
What does a 6.8 magnitude earthquake look like on the ground?
As was inevitable in this day and age, plenty of footage has popped up online of people - the fortunate ones who have survived - who recorded their first-hand experiences of living through a 6.8 magnitude earthquake. CCTV footage has done a similar job, with this particular clip showing the frantic rush to find some kind of safe spot as realisation of what's going in kicks in.
The soccer world continues to pay tribute to Morocco victims
Ligue 1, the top soccer league in France, has a significant number of Moroccan players and players with Moroccan heritage in it. The French top-flight has paid tribute online to those who have perished in the Moroccan earthquake, along with a number of clubs.
Bayern Munich: "FC Bayern is thinking of all those affected by the earthquake in Morocco. Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones".
Galatasaray: "Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the earthquake in #Morocco".
Sevilla: "Everyone at Sevilla FC sends their thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the recent earthquake in Morocco".
West Ham United: "We send our heartfelt condolences to those affected by the devastating earthquake in Morocco. Our deepest sympathies are with the people of Morocco".
A view of the damage to the city of Marrakech following last night's earthquake.
(Photo: Jana Meerman/Handout via REUTERS)
Manchester soccer clubs react to earthquake
Premier League soccer club Manchester United have said on X: "Our hearts are with the victims and those impacted by the overnight earthquake in the High Atlas mountains of Morocco."
United's crosstown rivals Manchester City, meanwhile, have posted on the platform: "The thoughts of everyone at Manchester City go out to the people of Morocco affected by the earthquake in the High Atlas mountains."
Many other major soccer clubs and organisations have also taken to X to express their support for the people of Morocco.
Expert expecting powerful aftershocks
An expert has told an interview with CNN that he expects major aftershocks in Morocco in the wake of the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the North African country.
Jonathan Stewart, who is a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California in Los Angeles, told the news channel that the magnitude of such aftershocks could be in the “high fives”.
Stewart also said that there is an outside possibility that last night’s quake could be followed be an even more powerful one.
Moroccan rescuers stand on the rubble of a damaged building as they search for survivors in the village of Amizmiz.
(Photo: REUTERS/Ahmed El Jechtimi)
Biden "deeply saddened" by Morocco earthquake
The president of the United States, Joe Biden, has said he is "deeply saddened" by the news of last night's earthquake, adding that the US is "ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Moroccan people".
"I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Morocco," Biden said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by this terrible hardship.
"My administration is in contact with Moroccan officials. We are working expeditiously to ensure American citizens in Morocco are safe, and stand ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Moroccan people. The United States stands by Morocco and my friend King Mohammed VI at this difficult moment."
UK "stands ready" to support Morocco - Sunak
The British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has said the UK "stands ready" to provide support.
"My thoughts are with everyone affected by the terrible earthquake in Morocco last night," Sunak posted on X a short while ago.
WHO on standby to offer support
The World Health Organization has said its teams are ready to "support the national response and ensure health services are quickly delivered where needed", in the wake of the earthquake in Morocco.
The WHO's secretary-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has described the news of the disaster as "heartbreaking".
Over 800 dead, nearly 700 injured
Citing Morocco's interior ministry, Moroccan state TV Al Aoula has a little more detail on those revised figures: as well as an increased death toll of at least 820, the number of those injured has risen to at least 672.
Earthquake death toll rises - report
AFP is now reporting that the death toll has gone up to at least 820.
People donate blood in Marrakech following the 6.8-magnitude earthquake late last night.
(Photo: REUTERS/Abdelhak Balhaki)
UK foreign sec: "We stand ready to help our Moroccan friends"
The UK's foreign secretary, James Cleverly, has posted on X:
"Devastating news of a substantial earthquake just outside Marrakesh, Morocco.
"The UK is continuing to support British nationals in the region.
"We stand ready to help our Moroccan friends in whatever way we can."
Real Madrid issue statement of support for Morocco
Reactions are also coming in from the world of sport. In Spanish soccer, LaLiga giants Real Madrid have expressed their “solidarity” with Morocco.
“Our club wants to send its condolences and support to the families of those who have died and to all the people of Morocco,” Madrid said in a statement.
“We also wish a speedy recovery to the injured, to whom we are sending all our strength and our affection.”
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We have put together this report with further details on the epicentre of the quake, and the areas in Morocco that have been chiefly affected by the disaster.
Zelenskyy: "Ukraine stands in solidarity with Morocco"
The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has posted on X:
"Our deepest condolences to HM King Mohammed VI and all Moroccans for the lives lost in the horrible earthquake in the Marrakech region. I wish those injured a fast recovery. Ukraine stands in solidarity with Morocco during this tragic time."
UN "ready to assist" Morocco
The United Nations has said it is "ready to assist the government of Morocco".
In a statement, Stéphane Dujarric, a spokesman for UN secretary-general António Guterres, said: "The secretary-general was profoundly saddened to learn of the earthquake that hit Morocco today which claimed many lives.
"The secretary-general expresses his solidarity with the government and people of Morocco in these difficult times. He addresses his most sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.
"The United Nations is ready to assist the government of Morocco in its efforts to assist the impacted population."
"Extremely pained by the loss of lives"
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, who is currently hosting the G20 summit in New Delhi, has said:
"Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest.
"India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time."
A man looks at damage in Marrakech following Friday night's earthquake.
(Photo: REUTERS/Abdelhak Balhaki)
World leaders offer support after earthquake
France's Emmanuel Macron and Spain's Pedro Sánchez are among the world leaders who have reacted to the news of the earthquake.
"We are all devastated after the terrible earthquake in Morocco," French president Macron posted on X. "France stands ready to help with first aid."
Sánchez, the Spanish prime minister, wrote on the social-media platform: "All my solidarity and support to the people of Morocco in the face of the terrible earthquake registered this morning. Spain stands with the victims of this tragedy and their families."
Buildings collapse in nearby Marrakech
The earthquake has led to collapsed buildings in the historic city of Marrakech, a popular tourist destination with some one million inhabitants.
(REUTERS/Abdelhak Balhaki)
Where did the earthquake hit?
The earthquake struck at around 11pm local time on Friday night, near Oukaïmedene in Morocco’s High Atlas mountains. That's around 50 miles south-east of the city of Marrakech.
The US Geological Survey has placed the quake’s magnitude at 6.8.
According to the USGS, earthquakes of this force are “uncommon but not unexpected” in this region of Morocco.
“Since 1900 there have been 9 M5 and larger earthquakes, none of which are over M6,” the body says. That makes this the most powerful quake in the region in over 120 years.
632 people confirmed dead so far
According to Moroccan interior ministry figures cited by AFP on Saturday morning, the latest death toll stands at 632, with a further 329 injured.
Morocco earthquake live updates: welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the major earthquake that struck Morocco late on Friday night.
Centred in the North African country's High Atlas mountains, the earthquake has so far led to over 600 confirmed deaths, according to the latest figures provided by Morocco's interior ministry.