Morocco: Additional damage and deaths following magnitude-6.8 earthquake in Chichaoua Province late Sept. 8 /update 5

Event

Additional damage and deaths have occurred following a magnitude-6.8 earthquake in Chichaoua Province at around 23:11 Sept. 8. As of early Sept. 10, officials reported at least 2,012 deaths and over 2,059 injuries, with the majority occurring in Al Haouz and Taroudant provinces. Casualty figures will likely rise in the coming days as search and rescue operations continue. Authorities have reported damaged roads and infrastructure near the epicenter but major airports, including Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), Rabat-Sale Airport (RBA), and Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK), remain operational.

The epicenter was about 56 km (35 miles) west of Oukaimeden. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 18 km (11 miles). Very strong-to-violent shaking was reported near the epicenter, with moderate-to-strong shaking experienced in more distant locations. Further utility outages and transport disruptions are likely, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Disruptions could occur during such shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.