The death toll from the violent earthquake that hit Morocco last night continues to worsen hour by hour. At least 1037 people died and 1204 were injured, of which 721 are in serious condition .

And it is feared that the numbers could grow further, as relief efforts or communications reach the areas closest to the epicentre, in the center of the country, 16 kilometers from the Tata N'Yaaqoub village , in the municipality of Ighil , 72 kilometers from south-west of Marrakesh .

The historic city is in fact heavily damaged: witnesses tell of a nightmarish 30 seconds, with a roar that resembled that of a "bomb" explosion.

The strong earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale was recorded at 11.11pm on Friday 8 September. The earthquake was so strong that it was felt along the entire Atlas ridge, in Merzouga, one of the gateways to the desert, Taroudant, Essaouira and Agadir and on the other side of the mountain range in Casablanca, up to Rabat. The wave-like movement lasted about 30 seconds.

Great fear especially in the medina of Marrakech, where the most fragile parts of the walls surrounding the historic center have collapsed . Thousands poured into the streets of the new city of Marrakech and the alleys of the medina, in a state of panic. Electricity and internet connection were missing for a long time.

ITALIANS

The switchboard of the Italian embassy in Rabat is down, having received numerous calls from tourists asking to return home.

There are no Italians either among the victims or among the injured , assured the Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani: there are approximately 500 compatriots present on Moroccan territory. The ambassador in Rabat, Armando Barucco , also confirmed that he had contacted all the Italians who had been reported "both through the Crisis Unit and through the numbers we have". The ambassador then announced that a help desk of our diplomatic headquarters had been opened at Marrakesh airport, stormed by tourists fleeing after the great scare, to provide assistance and information to Italians who needed to leave.

In addition to the Italians who had already been reported and contacted - explained the head of the Farnesina crisis unit Nicola Minasi - there are another 200 who were taking part in a company convention .

ITALIAN FAMILY BLOCKED

However, there is apprehension for a family of Italian tourists stuck in the mountains of Morocco : «We are very worried, we are stuck outside the hotel on the Tizi n'test pass and the road is blocked by a landslide on both sides. Now we are heading towards Agadir, fortunately it's thirty kilometers downhill but we have to hurry because it's starting to get hot", reports a woman, on holiday with her husband and 15-year-old son.

"Last night, around 11.30pm I think, there was a very strong tremor", says the woman, who together with her family was staying in a hotel-restaurant on the mountain pass. They immediately exited the building. « The hotel was very damaged, so we spent the night in the car. But now the car is useless because the landslide has blocked both routes of the pass . There were no injuries with us there were two other tourists, I couldn't say their nationality, perhaps Belgians. But they can't follow us on the long walk because one of them has difficulty walking."

THE REACTIONS – «The Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni , today in New Delhi for the G20 Summit, learned with pain the tragic toll of the devastating earthquake that hit Morocco», reports a note from Palazzo Chigi: «Meloni expressed closeness and solidarity with Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, the families of the victims and the Moroccan people, demonstrating Italy's full availability to support Morocco in this emergency."

Pope Francis expresses "his communion in prayer in the face of this natural disaster". «Sad by this event», we read in a telegram of condolence for the victims sent through the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Pontiff expresses his «deep solidarity with those who are touched in the flesh and in the heart by this tragedy» and pray "for the repose of the deceased, for the healing of the wounded and for the consolation of those who mourn the loss of their loved ones and their home".

Solidarity has also arrived from overseas: US President Joe Biden is "deeply saddened by the loss of human lives and the devastation of the earthquake". “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this terrible hardship,” Biden added. And again: «My administration is in contact with Moroccan officials. We are working to ensure that US citizens in Morocco are safe and stand ready to provide any necessary assistance to the Moroccan people. The USA is close to Morocco and my friend King Mohammed VI in this difficult phase."

(Unioneonline/D)

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