The earthquake that struck Morocco earlier this week, registering a magnitude of 6.9, led to a tragic death toll that climbed to 296. The latest figures come from Moroccan authorities and local news outlets reporting from regions including El Haouz, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua, Taroudant, Marrakech, and updates from the Ministry of the Interior.
Initial assessments described 296 fatalities, with an additional 153 people reported injured to varying degrees, the majority of whom required hospital care. Rescue and medical teams have been actively deployed to affected districts as search and aid efforts continue.
Officials noted that local administrations, security forces, and civil protection agencies were mobilized across all provinces and regions to coordinate relief operations, assess damage, and support affected residents. These responses reflect a broad, nationwide mobilization aimed at stabilizing the situation in the wake of the quake.
The disaster occurred on the night of September 9, when the 6.9-magnitude event was centered roughly 77 kilometers southwest of Marrakech. Seismologists reported that tremors were felt from Rabat, the capital, down to Sidi Ifni in the southern part of the country, underscoring the wide geographic impact of the temblor.
As the day progressed, coverage from Al Jazeera and other outlets indicated rising casualty figures. Early reports suggesting five deaths soon gave way to higher tallies as more communities were reached by relief teams and authorities verified injuries and fatalities. The evolving numbers highlight the challenge of rapid data collection in the aftermath of a large earthquake.
Meanwhile, separate news briefs noted that a typhoon in another region, specifically in China, prompted the evacuation of about 200 thousand people. This reference underscores the scale and immediacy of natural disasters around the world, though it involves a separate event and jurisdiction. Source attributions: Moroccan Ministry of the Interior; Al Jazeera; local regional authorities.