SOCCER
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Morocco hotel offers shelter to earthquake survivors
The Portuguese forward’s Pestana CR7 Marrakech hotel has become a refuge site for those affected by the massive Moroccan earthquake.
A Marrakech-based hotel owned by Cristiano Ronaldo has opened its doors to victims of the earthquake in Morocco.
On Friday a huge 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the mountainous High Atlas region in Morocco, around 45 miles from the city of Marrakech.
As of Saturday evening, at least 1,305 people have died as a result of the earthquake and many more are injured or missing.
Amid the chaos and the tragedy, a number of Marrakech-based organisations and businesses have offered assistance to those affected by the quake. One of them is Pestana CR7 Marrakech, a hotel owned by Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo. Reports suggest that the luxury hotel is providing shelter to those who have lost their homes.
Where is the Pestana CR7 Marrakech hotel?
Marrakech, sometimes spelt Marrakesh, if the fourth-largest city in Morocco and a popular tourist destination for travellers from all over the world. Ronaldo’s hotel is located in the M Avenue district in the city’s old town area.
The 174-room hotel is billed as a luxury, Moroccan-inspired getaway spot but the building has been transformed to offer shelter to victims of the earthquake.
The old town area of Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has suffered some of the worst effects of the earthquake. Buildings and city walls have collapsed and the narrow alleyways have made it difficult for the injured to be located and transported to safety.
Across the city public buildings, town squares and even roundabouts have been hastily converted into emergency shelters, with beds set up for those who have lost their homes.
Ronaldo’s gesture is not the only from the world of soccer to help those affected. On Saturday the Moroccan national team donated blood to help support the victims.
Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi wrote on social media: “We are going through a difficult time for all our fellow citizens. It’s time to help each other save as many lives as possible. My condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one.”