PCIM Ensures Indonesian Citizens In Morocco Are Safe After The M 6.8 Earthquake

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Special Branch of Muhammadiyah (PCIM) of the Kingdom of Morocco Jundi Abdurrahman said that Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Morocco were in safe condition and no one was affected by the tragedy of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake.

"For Indonesian citizens and students who are spread across various cities in Morocco, thank God they are safe so far. No one has been affected," said Jundi to ANTARA, in Jakarta, Sunday.

An earthquake measuring 6.8 magnitude rocked Morocco on Friday (8/9) at 23:11 local time (Saturday at 05.11 a.m. Western Indonesian Time or WIB) causing serious damage to infrastructure and residential areas in the region.

Even though they felt the earthquake vibrations, Indonesian citizens in Morocco were not affected and are safe, said Jundi.

Most Indonesian citizens live in the Marrakesh and Casablanca areas, far from the epicenter of the earthquake, he continued.

Meanwhile, the latest data from the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior states that as of Saturday at 22:00 p.m. local time (04.00  a.m. WIB) there were a total of 2,012 fatalities and 2,059 injured victims, with 1,404 of them suffering serious injuries.

The earthquake affected nine regions in the country, with the greatest impact occurring in the Al Haouz area, which recorded 1,293 fatalities.

Jundi said that PCIM Morocco is currently still forming a PCIM Morocco assistance team and coordinating with the Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center (MDMC) to plan and record urgent needs in areas affected by the earthquake.

"Since yesterday we have been communicating with them and asking them to record the needs there," said Jundi.

Meanwhile, the MDMC team's main focus in providing aid to earthquake victims is basic food, clothing, and blankets.