Tens of thousands of people in Morocco have spent their third night in the open, as a desperate race against time continues in the Atlas Mountains to rescue survivors from the rubble.
After the 6,8 magnitude earthquake that hit the country on Friday, causing collapses, blocked roads, the destruction of entire villages with over 2.122 deaths and 2.400 serious injuries, according to the latest report released by the Moroccan authorities.
Some towns and villages in the worst-hit mountainous areas outside Marrakesh have been completely flattened, with locals growing frustrated over the lack of help to extract survivors from the rubble, as rescue teams struggle to get equipment into remote areas, the BBC reports.
In Marrakesh, hospital worker Manel, quoted by the British broadcaster, explained that she had lost 10 relatives in the earthquake, in villages outside the city where access is difficult. “We can’t do anything now because we wanted to go and help but we can’t because the road is blocked. They should open the roads. For now we don’t have any more information because the Internet and everything else there doesn’t work”, he added.
And while lines to donate blood form in hospitals, the Moroccan government has confirmed that it has accepted emergency aid only from the United Kingdom, Spain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and that relief teams from these countries are on their way to Morocco.
The emergency response after the earthquake is now at a stage where international help is really needed, the regional director of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Hossam El Sharkawi, told the BBC: “The survivors, as many reports show, need food and water, blankets, shelter and some medicines,” he has declared.
“The local rescuers have done a fantastic job so far, but on day three they are exhausted. And they will need more help,” he added.
Article published on 11 September 2023 - 11:14
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