The World Bank said it offers “full support” to Morocco following the earthquake that left more than 2,000 people dead on Friday (8).
“Our hearts are with the people of Morocco, who are suffering the effects of devastating earthquakes that have caused tragic loss of life, injuries and damage in areas south of Marrakech,” the bank said in a statement on Saturday (9).
VIDEO — Magnitude 6.8 earthquake hits Morocco and leaves hundreds dead
“We convey our deepest condolences to the kingdom at the highest levels and offer our full support to the country in the wake of this catastrophe,” he continued.
“Our only focus at this stage is on the Moroccan people and the authorities who are dealing with this tragedy”, concludes the note.
Strongest earthquake in 120 years
The number of confirmed deaths in the earthquake that hit Morocco on Friday (8) reached 2,012 people, Moroccan state TV reported on Saturday night (9), citing a statement from the Ministry of the Interior.
The injury count rose to 2,059, including 1,404 people who are in serious condition.
With a magnitude of 6.8, the earthquake that struck the High Atlas Mountains, in Morocco, on Friday night was the strongest ever recorded for the region in at least 120 years, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The magnitude of 6.8 is classified as strong on the Richter scale, according to the agency.
Although possible, earthquakes of this size in the region are uncommon, according to the US service. Since 1900, there have been nine earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 5, but none of them reached a magnitude of 6.
Benjamin Brown, team member at CNN who was in Marrakech when the earthquake occurred, described the scenes as “absolutely shocking”.
In a telephone conversation, Brown said that people despaired as they understood the magnitude of what had happened and their own injuries.
There were many partially destroyed buildings, some with roofs torn off and glass windows broken, he said.
The country’s state TV, Al Aoula, reported that parts of Marrakech’s historic walls were also damaged.
The fortifications form a set of walls that surround the historic districts of Marrakech and were built at the beginning of the 12th century.
Source: CNN Brasil
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