Powerful earthquake kills hundreds in Morocco’s High Atlas region:
A powerful quake struck at 11pm on September 8, injuring thousands and killing over 2,000 people – a grim death toll that is likely to rise in the days ahead.
Many of the dead are in remote villages in the High Atlas mountains, the epicentre of the earthquake. Residents are using whatever equipment they can find as they struggle to reach their neighbours under the rubble.
Aftershocks have left families too frightened to seek shelter, with exhausted survivors forced to sleep in the streets.
Please support our Emergency Response today, giving anything you can to help save lives.
Islamic Relief Canada's Morocco Emergency Appeal
Powerful earthquake kills hundreds in Morocco’s High Atlas region
A powerful quake struck at 11pm on September 8, injuring thousands and killing over 1,000 people – a grim death toll that is likely to rise in the days ahead.
Many of the dead are in remote villages in the High Atlas mountains, the epicentre of the earthquake. Residents are using whatever equipment they can find as they struggle to reach their neighbours under the rubble.
Aftershocks have left families too frightened to seek shelter, with exhausted survivors forced to sleep in the streets.
Please support our Emergency Response today, giving anything you can to help save lives.
Islamic Relief's Response
Islamic Relief teams from neighbouring countries are en route, and we are rapidly working through local partners to conduct immediate needs assessments.
In the coming hours, we will work to provide urgent food supplies, emergency shelter and basic essentials to the people affected by the earthquake. Help us send relief today.
Islamic Relief’s thoughts and prayers are with the people of Morocco, as they face the aftermath of one of the strongest earthquakes in years.
Historic Marrakech badly damaged
The earthquake, which was felt as far away as Algeria and Portugal, also shook historic Marrakech, the nearest major city to the epicentre. Homes and other buildings in the UNESCO World Heritage Site have collapsed.
The epicentre was in the High Atlas Mountains, 71km (44 miles) south-west of Marrakesh, at a depth of 18.5km. The earthquake killed people in the provinces and municipalities of al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant.
Blocked roads are preventing ambulances from reaching the wounded, and while officials are scrambling to clear debris, rescue and relief efforts are difficult amid the mountainous terrain, risk of landslides, and large distances.
