Morocco earthquake: 2,122 dead, thousands more injured

Israel may soon witness similar scenes to the devastating ones seen in Morocco due to the government’s failure to prepare for an earthquake, which experts predict could happen here.

This sobering message was delivered by State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman in a video address on Sunday.

“Six months ago, it was Turkey,” he said. “On [Friday], Morocco faced a fatal earthquake. The State of Israel continues to neglect earthquake preparedness despite these stark reminders. Instead of waiting for an investigative committee after a catastrophe, it is imperative that the prime minister and the pertinent ministries promptly address the country’s shortcomings.”

The devastating earthquake to strike Morocco comes more than half a year after the earthquake in Turkey. In both instances, Israel has rushed to respond.

The defense minister was quick to put out a statement about helping Morocco, and Israel Aerospace Industries and many other Israeli companies, groups, and experts have rushed to prepare to aid Morocco.

The defense minister’s statement is emblematic. He said he reiterated his commitment to provide assistance. “Minister [Yoav] Gallant instructed the IDF and defense establishment to prepare for the provision of humanitarian aid and search-and-rescue efforts, should they be required,” a statement from his office said. In addition, Amir Peretz, the chairman of defense aerospace giant IAI, has said the company, which is active in Morocco, is ready to assist.

Israel will send a delegation to Morocco Sunday morning to help bring Israelis home after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Marrakech and the surrounding areas, killing more than 1,000 people and injuring hundreds of thousands of others, the Foreign Ministry said.

The delegation will include representatives from the consular department and administrative personnel. 

According to information available to the Foreign Ministry, there were 468 Israeli citizens in Morocco, of whom some 56 were unaccounted for at press time.
 
At the same time, Israel has prepared to send humanitarian aid and a rescue delegation to Morocco.

 The Eiffel Tower's lights will go dark at 11 p.m. (2100 GMT) on Saturday in tribute to victims of Morocco's earthquake, Agence France Presse reported, citing Paris City Hall.

Morocco's Interior Ministry said earlier that 1,037 people had been killed and another 672 injured by the quake, recorded by the US Geological Survey at a magnitude of 6.8 with an epicentre some 72 km (45 miles) southwest of Marrakech.

Blood donation centers in Marrakech have put out an urgent call for blood donations to support the victims of the earthquake that hit the city Friday night.

“We urgently appeal to all citizens, especially those in the city of Marrakech, to donate blood to assist the injuries,” the Marrakech Regional Blood Transfusion Center said.

All healthcare facilities in the city of Marrakech as well as the Mohammed VI Hospital have been mobilized to provide necessary medical care to the injured.

Algeria, which broke off ties with Morocco two years ago, said on Saturday it would open its air space for humanitarian and medical flights to Morocco, after a major earthquake there that killed over 1,000 people.

Algeria severed diplomatic relations with Morocco in 2021, citing what it said were “hostile acts”. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said earlier this year that relations between the North African neighbors had reached “a point of no return”.

In a statement on Morocco's quake, Algeria's presidency said it was ready to provide humanitarian aid and offer all its material and human capabilities in solidarity with the brotherly Moroccan people, if Morocco requests such help.

"The entire hotel shook, the floor moved, the walls cracked, and the doors of the closets in the rooms opened and slammed shut forcefully," recalled Ofra from Dimona, who is in Morocco on a work trip.

The severe earthquake that struck Friday night in the Atlas Mountains region of Morocco has left hundreds dead and almost as many injured. Several buildings collapsed. A number of Israelis are in the country for work and pleasure.

As the earthquake struck, Ofra was having Shabbat dinner with kosher food and songs.