Morocco earthquake: Expats share tales of tragedy and resilience

La Rose des Vents, an active participant on Expat.com's Morocco forum, posted a heartbreaking message early Saturday, September 9. "Unfortunately, we also have victims in our family. Luckily, the children were asleep when the earthquake struck. They woke up outside in the middle of the public square. Another family member has not yet been able to contact us, but we hope that nothing has happened to him other than a communication problem," said the Belgian citizen, as his family is trapped amid the chaos in Marrakesh. On Friday night, the extent of the damage was still unknown, but on Saturday morning, things began to take a catastrophic turn.

Disaster in Morocco

Less than half an hour after the first earthquake, another 4.8-magnitude earthquake struck near Casablanca, home to a large expat community. Françoise, a retiree of French origin, writes on the Morocco Forum that several people were forced to leave their homes in a wave of panic, fearing a more violent aftershock. Mithié, another expat, relates to a similar scenario in Agadir. "My house in Charaf was not damaged, but we felt the earth shake quite strongly for about twenty seconds", he says. In Chaouen, another expatriate commented: "We didn't feel anything here. My wife's family tried to warn us several times but couldn't because the telephone network was down in some places. They felt the tremors in Khemisset, as did my friends in Sidi Bouzid."

While no infrastructural damage was reported in Agadir, other cities, like Marrakech, Ouarzazate and Taroudant, were pulled down. On Saturday, the Interior Ministry announced a death toll of 820 in these regions, with 672 people injured. By midday Saturday, local authorities reported 1037 dead and 1204 injured, including 721 severely injured. By Sunday, the preliminary death toll had reached 2012, and 2059 had been injured in the various provinces and prefectures. At the time of publication of this article, 2,800 were reported dead. According to the international media, this is the deadliest earthquake Morocco has experienced since 2004, when 600 people were reported dead near Al Hoceima, a mountain town in the north.

Back to a tragic weekend in Marrakech

According to Mithié, there was no visible damage in the city of Agadir, except for a few pieces of wall coverings that fell to the ground in some places. "Although the ground and the houses experienced the harsh tremors, their structure held up well. Françoise adds: "My villa, built in 1990, didn't even shake. We didn't have a single brick or broken glass. In my friends' apartment buildings, a few things were broken, but nothing major. Worst of all was Marrakech, which plunged into despair on Friday night.

"Our family is one of the countless victims," says La Rose des Vents, still in shock. "We had several students missing on Monday. One of my wife's colleagues reported the disappearance of all her students without exception! Several douars (small villages) where we have lived before have still not received any help, cut off from the outside world". According to him, the civil protection authorities prevented a large part of the population from returning to their homes. "This measure was taken more for fear of seeing old buildings collapse after Friday's earthquake, while air traffic continues at Marrakech airport."

The expat community's response

In addition to the messages of sympathy pouring in from around the world, the international community is working hard to help those affected by the disaster in Morocco. Arif Esa, a Briton with roots in India and Malawi who has lived in Morocco for over a decade, calls for help through a fundraising campaign. "The scope of this tragedy is vast, with over 300,000 people directly affected by the disaster. The impact extends to Morocco's cultural heritage as well, with the historic Tinmel Mosque in the mountains sustaining severe damage and the ancient city of Marrakesh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, bearing the scars of collapsed buildings. In the face of such overwhelming adversity, Morocco's government is under increasing pressure to accept more international aid. So far, assistance has been extended by only four countries: Spain, the UK, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The need for additional support is urgent, as rescuers battle exhaustion to save lives and provide critical relief."

He points out that the earthquake has, unfortunately, had a direct or indirect impact on some expatriates. "There have been reports of expatriates and tourists trapped in the historic sites of the old medina, particularly within the riads. Tragically, there have been instances where lives have been lost due to the earthquake. It's a heart-wrenching situation that has left many shaken and in mourning. However, amid the adversity, the resilience and solidarity of the expatriate community and local Moroccans have been truly remarkable. Numerous support teams and groups have mobilized to assist with evacuations and rescue efforts. Many expatriates have not hesitated to stay and provide a helping hand in any way they can. The outpouring of support from both the expatriate community and the local population has been overwhelming. People have come together to aid those in need, offering shelter, sustenance, and emotional support to those affected by this disaster. It's a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

What are the authorities doing?

The Moroccan government is carefully monitoring the situation and assessing the safety of infrastructure. Many locals, expatriates, and tourists are having to camp outdoors as buildings are inspected and evaluated for safety. "The safety and well-being of all residents and visitors are of paramount concern as the nation grapples with the aftermath of this devastating earthquake. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected, and we remain committed to providing support and assistance to the best of our abilities. Together, we will navigate these challenging times and work towards the recovery and healing of the affected communities", says Arif Esa, CEO of a diversified oil, gas, natural resources and governance consulting firm.

While the Moroccan government has accepted aid from several countries, including Spain, the United Kingdom, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, to deal with the crisis, authorities stress that everyone's contribution is welcome, including donations, food donations, and blood donations. In addition, rescue teams have been mobilized to participate in search and rescue operations and to assess the extent of damage to infrastructure and homes. Steps have also been taken to coordinate the distribution of basic necessities in the affected areas.

Besides, people concerned about their loved ones in Morocco should contact their respective embassies. Information and recommendations are also available on their websites.