Videos posted online show buildings reduced to rubble and dust, and parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city in Marrakech damaged. Tourists and others posted videos of people screaming and evacuating restaurants in the city as throbbing club music played. Morocco declared three days of mourning today following the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that killed over 1,000 people, according to a statement from the Royal Palace in Rabat. In a meeting shortly after the earthquake, government officials briefed King Mohammed VI on the extent of the damage left behind. "We are aware of reports that a 6.8-magnitude earthquake has struck Morocco outside of Marrakech and are deeply saddened by the loss of life," the embassy said in a statement.

Source: The North Africa Journal September 09, 2023 19:03 UTC