Several world leaders spoke about the earthquake that hit Morocco on Friday (8) and left hundreds dead. Many authorities offered help to the African country.
At least 632 people died and another 329 were injured, according to state broadcaster Al-Aoula, citing the Interior Ministry. Additionally, 51 people are in critical condition, Al Aoula said.
That earthquake was the strongest to hit that part of the North African country in more than 100 years, according to the US Geological Survey.
See the global impact on the earthquake
A President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sent condolences to the Moroccan people ahead of the G20 summit, in which they are participating, in India.
“This is terrible news from Morocco. In these difficult times, our thoughts are with the victims of the devastating earthquake,” Scholz wrote this Saturday (9) on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Von der Leyen also expressed her solidarity: “My heart goes out to the Moroccan people in the face of the terrible earthquake that claimed hundreds of lives last night.”
She highlighted that her thoughts were with the families of the victims and those injured, wished them a speedy recovery and praised the rescue teams for their “admirable work”.
O Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi began his opening speech at the G20 Summit this Saturday by offering his “sincere condolences to all those affected” by the earthquake.
“It is my wish that all those injured recover quickly. At this difficult time, my thoughts are with Morocco and we are prepared to offer all possible assistance,” she declared.
A France expressed solidarity with “Morocco and the friendly Moroccan people” after the “terrible” earthquake that shook the country.
“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we admire the work of the rescue teams who tirelessly help the injured,” French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna wrote in X.
Shortly after the earthquake, the French Embassy opened a crisis center in the North African country, where 30,000 of its citizens live.
A United Nations Organization (UN) declared that it is ready to help the Moroccan government.
“The Secretary-General was deeply saddened to learn of the earthquake that hit Morocco today and which claimed many lives,” said Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN chief, in a statement.
“The Secretary General expresses his solidarity with the government and people of Morocco in these difficult times. He extends his most sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured,” the statement added.
O Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed government bodies to mobilize to provide assistance to Morocco, including preparing to send an aid delegation, Netanyahu’s office announced on Saturday.
“The Prime Minister said that the people of Israel stand with our friends, the people of Morocco, during this difficult time and pray for their well-being, and that we will help in any way necessary,” the office said in a statement.
Morocco established full formal diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords.
*with information from Xiaofei Xu and Benjamin Brown, from CNN
*published by Tiago Tortella, from CNN
Source: CNN Brasil
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