Thousands dead after magnitude 6.8 earthquake strikes western Morocco
Strong earthquakes around the High Atlas mountains are rare, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Many buildings were reduced to rubble in Marrakech.
Over 1,000 killed in powerful Morocco earthquake
A 6.8 quake rocked the western African nation late Friday night, sending panicked residents in the streets and leaving some villages in ruins.
MARRAKECH, Morocco – More than 2,000 people have been reported killed, and at least 2,000 others were injured after a powerful 6.8 earthquake rocked the African nation of Morocco Friday night, destroying buildings and leaving scenes of chaos.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported the strong earthquake occurred southwest of Marrakech, the country's fourth-largest city, and occurred at a shallow depth of around 16 miles underground.
Videos posted online show debris falling from buildings, blocking pathways, and survivors looking for victims amidst the rubble of several buildings.
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Image 1 of 16MARRAKESH, MOROCCO - SEPTEMBER 9: Search and Rescue team operations continues at Moulay Brahim region after a 7 magnitude earthquake in Marrakesh, Morocco on September 9, 2023. At least 820 people were killed and 672 others injured following a powerful earthquake that struck Morocco, the country's Interior Ministry said Saturday. (Photo by Abu Adem Muhammed/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) ( )
![Earthquake in Morocco]()
Image 2 of 16MARRAKESH, MOROCCO - SEPTEMBER 9: Search and Rescue team operations continues at Moulay Brahim region after a 7 magnitude earthquake in Marrakesh, Morocco on September 9, 2023. At least 820 people were killed and 672 others injured following a powerful earthquake that struck Morocco, the country's Interior Ministry said Saturday. (Photo by Abu Adem Muhammed/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) ( )
![Over 800 killed in powerful quake in Morocco]()
Image 3 of 16MARRAKESH, MOROCCO - SEPTEMBER 9: A view of rubble after a 7 magnitude earthquake in Marrakesh, Morocco on September 9, 2023. At least 820 people were killed and 672 others injured following a powerful earthquake that struck Morocco, the country's Interior Ministry said Saturday. (Photo by Abu Adem Muhammed/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) ( )
![Earthquake in Morocco]()
Image 4 of 16MARRAKESH, MOROCCO - SEPTEMBER 9: Search and Rescue team operations continues at Moulay Brahim region after a 7 magnitude earthquake in Marrakesh, Morocco on September 9, 2023. At least 820 people were killed and 672 others injured following a powerful earthquake that struck Morocco, the country's Interior Ministry said Saturday. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) ( )
![Over 800 killed in powerful quake in Morocco]()
Image 5 of 16MARRAKESH, MOROCCO - SEPTEMBER 9: A view of rubble after a 7 magnitude earthquake in Marrakesh, Morocco on September 9, 2023. At least 820 people were killed and 672 others injured following a powerful earthquake that struck Morocco, the country's Interior Ministry said Saturday. (Photo by Abu Adem Muhammed/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) ( )
![Earthquake in Morocco]()
Image 6 of 16A woman evacuates with her belongings through the rubble in the earthquake-damaged old city of Marrakesh on September 9, 2023. A powerful earthquake that shook Morocco late September 8 killed more than 600 people, interior ministry figures showed, sending terrified residents fleeing their homes in the middle of the night. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Earthquake in Morocco]()
Image 7 of 16MARRAKESH, MOROCCO - SEPTEMBER 9: A view of a destroyed building after a 7 magnitude earthquake in Marrakesh, Morocco on September 9, 2023. At least 820 people were killed and 672 others injured following a powerful earthquake that struck Morocco, the country's Interior Ministry said Saturday. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) ( )
![Earthquake in Morocco]()
Image 8 of 16MARRAKESH, MOROCCO - SEPTEMBER 9: A view of a destroyed building after a 7 magnitude earthquake in Marrakesh, Morocco on September 9, 2023. At least 820 people were killed and 672 others injured following a powerful earthquake that struck Morocco, the country's Interior Ministry said Saturday. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) ( )
![Earthquake in Morocco]()
Image 9 of 1609 September 2023, Morocco, Marrakesh: People inspect damages in Marrakesh following the powerful earthquake that struck Morocco. (Best Quality Available) Photo: Khadija Benabbou/dpa (Photo by Khadija Benabbou/picture alliance via Getty Images) ( )
![Over 800 killed in powerful quake in Morocco]()
Image 10 of 16MARRAKESH, MOROCCO - SEPTEMBER 9: A view of a destroyed building after a 7 magnitude earthquake in Marrakesh, Morocco on September 9, 2023. At least 820 people were killed and 672 others injured following a powerful earthquake that struck Morocco, the country's Interior Ministry said Saturday. (Photo by Said Echarif/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) ( )
![Over 800 killed in powerful quake in Morocco]()
Image 11 of 16Rescue workers search for survivors in a collapsed house in Moulay Brahim, Al Haouz province, on September 9, 2023, after an earthquake. Morocco's deadliest earthquake in decades has killed at least 820 people, officials said on September 9, causing widespread damage and sending terrified residents and tourists scrambling to safety in the middle of the night. (Photo by Fadel SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 12 of 16TOPSHOT - Residents stay out at a square in Marrakesh on September 9, 2023, after an earthquake. A powerful earthquake that struck Morocco on September 8 night has killed at least 632 people and injured 329 others, according to an updated interior ministry toll. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 13 of 16MARRAKESH, MOROCCO - SEPTEMBER 9: A view of a man on rubble after a 7 magnitude earthquake in Marrakesh, Morocco on September 9, 2023. At least 296 people were killed and 153 sustained injuries following a powerful earthquake that struck Morocco, the country's Interior Ministry said Saturday. (Photo by Said Echarif/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) ( )
![Earthquake in Morocco]()
Image 14 of 16TOPSHOT - A woman looks at the rubble of a building in the earthquake-damaged old city in Marrakesh on September 9, 2023. A powerful earthquake that shook Morocco late September 8 killed more than 600 people, interior ministry figures showed, sending terrified residents fleeing their homes in the middle of the night. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Earthquake in Morocco]()
Image 15 of 16A resident navigates through the rubble following a 6.8-magnitude quake in Marrakesh on September 9, 2023. A powerful earthquake that shook Morocco late September 8 killed more than 600 people, interior ministry figures showed, sending terrified residents fleeing their homes in the middle of the night. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Earthquake in Morocco]()
Image 16 of 16A woman reacts standing infront of her earthquake-damaged house in the old city in Marrakesh on September 9, 2023. A powerful earthquake that shook Morocco late September 8 killed more than 600 people, interior ministry figures showed, sending terrified residents fleeing their homes in the middle of the night. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
Marrakech, the nearest big city to the epicenter, suffered damage and residents spent the night in the open, afraid to go home, Reuters reported. In villages to the south closer to the epicenter, state television reported dozens of homes and collapsed.
The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces reports it has deployed several search and rescue teams, as well as doctors and a surgical field hospital.
The United States government is working to ensure Americans in the country are safe and President Joe Biden released a statement that read, "I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Morocco. 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."
Videos of a 12th century mosque in Marrakech showed damage to the structure and bystanders rushing for safety in case of a collapse.
Earthquake map
(USGS)
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Turkey's Emergency Management Authority said it was prepared to send more than 250 personnel and other supplies to the kingdom.
Strong earthquakes in the region are uncommon, but not unexpected, according to the USGS. Since 1900, there have been less than half a dozen magnitude 5 or larger quakes.
They added that this earthquake occurred within the Africa Plate, which is located about 340 miles south of the plate boundary between the Africa and Eurasia plates.
The deadliest quake to strike the region is known as the 1960 Agadir earthquake. Health estimates stated between 10,000-15,000 were killed during the natural disaster.
At least one aftershock was estimated by seismographs to be a magnitude 4.9 on Friday evening.