President Jokowi Conveys Deep Condolences To Morocco's Earthquake Victims

DOC/President Joko Widodo expressed his view during the Plenary Session of the 43rd ASEAN Summit at the Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Tuesday (5/9/2023). MEDIA CENTER ASEAN Summit 2023/M Agung Rajasa/pras. (ANTARA PHOTO/M Agung Rajasa)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) expressed his deep condolences to the people of Morocco after being rocked by a powerful 6.9 magnitude (M) earthquake on Friday (8/9) evening local time.

"My deepest condolences to the people of Morocco after the tragic earthquake," President Jokowi said through his official account on social media platform X (previously called Twitter), quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, September 9.

President Jokowi said that the thoughts and prayers of the Indonesian people were with the victims, the families of the victims, and all those affected by the earthquake.

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 rocked Morocco on Friday (8/9) at 23.14 pm local time. The areas affected by the earthquake, namely Al-Huuz, Marrakech, Ouarzazazate, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant Provinces.

Based on data from the Morocco Ministry of Home Affairs as of Saturday, 820 people were killed and 672 others injured by the earthquake.

The earthquake was the strongest earthquake ever to hit the country in North Africa in a century, the Morocco National Institute of Geophysics said.

Quoted from Anadolu's report, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) noted that the epicenter of the earthquake was 75 kilometers southeast of Marrakesh at a depth of 18.5 km.

A number of videos circulating on social media caught conditions shortly after the earthquake and showed residents spilled onto the road.

The situation is said to have occurred in the Marrakesh region where many buildings were reported to have collapsed and residents were trapped under the rubble.

Local media said that several buildings, including the famous red wall surrounding the old town of Marrakesh and the UNESCO World Heritage status were also damaged.

The Royal Armed Forces of Morocco appealed to residents to remain vigilant and direct the public to safe areas to avoid aftershocks.