Newborn baby saved from rubble in Moroccan earthquake as toll climbs to 2,000
The death toll from the massive earthquake that struck Morocco has tragically risen to over 2,000 people.
This devastating earthquake, a rare occurrence, struck late on Friday night, September 8, claiming the lives of hundreds and causing extensive damage to buildings and villages across the North African country. The seismic activity continued into Saturday.
The Ministry of Interior in Morocco provided an update on Saturday night, confirming the heartbreaking loss of 2,000 lives.
In response to this tragedy, Morocco has declared three days of mourning, as announced by the royal court. National flags will be flown at half-mast during this period of mourning.
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Television broadcasts in Morocco displayed harrowing scenes from the aftermath of the earthquake, with many people opting to remain outdoors, fearing potential aftershocks.
In a heart wrenching and awe-inspiring moment captured on video, a compassionate individual rescued a newborn baby from the rubble left by the earthquake.
Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF) has expressed its readiness to respond to the earthquake’s impact in Morocco.
Avril Benoît, the executive director of MSF-USA, issued a statement on Saturday emphasizing the critical role of local residents in the initial response when searching for survivors.
She mentioned that earthquake survivors often require medical care, including surgery and dialysis, which can be challenging when local healthcare systems are affected by such disasters.
Restoring health services and providing essential supplies become top priorities in the wake of such devastating events. MSF’s response will be tailored to the assessed needs on-site.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the earthquake initially had a magnitude of 6.8 when it struck at 11:11 p.m. (2211 GMT), and the shaking lasted for several seconds. The agency also noted a magnitude-4.9 aftershock that occurred 19 minutes later.
The epicenter of Friday’s tremor was located near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, approximately 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) south of Marrakech.
According to the USGS, the epicenter was 18 kilometers (11 miles) below the Earth’s surface, while Morocco’s seismic agency estimated it at 11 kilometers (7 miles) deep. Shallow earthquakes like this one are typically more destructive and pose greater risks.
