No Damage Reported Following Earthquake in Morocco’s Ouezzane Province
A recent 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Ouezzane Province in northern Morocco, with no damage reported. Citizens felt tremors up to 200 kilometers away, leading to anxiety due to past deadly earthquakes. The government is increasing disaster preparedness measures, funding various projects to improve risk management.
On Monday evening, the National Institute of Geophysics reported a 5.2-magnitude earthquake in the Ouezzane Province of northern Morocco. Fortunately, no damage has been confirmed, according to the Moroccan news agency MAP. The earthquake occurred at 11:48 p.m., located approximately 20 kilometers deep, with its epicenter near Ksar el-Kebir, part of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region.
The tremors from the quake were felt over a wide area, reaching distances of up to 200 kilometers south of the epicenter, including major cities such as Fez, Casablanca, and Rabat. Citizens in these areas experienced a heightened sense of fear and anxiety, particularly as they recalled the devastating earthquake that struck the Al Haouz region in September 2023, resulting in approximately 3,000 fatalities and significant destruction to infrastructure in smaller villages.
In light of the recent earthquake and the previous disaster, Morocco is reinforcing its disaster management strategies. The Interior Minister, Abdelouafi Laftit, disclosed that Morocco has initiated 325 projects aimed at disaster risk reduction, amounting to MAD 4.72 billion (approximately $471 million). This funding falls under the “Incentives for the Development of Disaster Risk Reduction and Prevention Activities” program, which is bolstered by monetary support from the Fund to Combat the Effects of Natural Disasters.
In summary, the recent 5.2-magnitude earthquake in Ouezzane Province, Morocco, resulted in no damages reported, but citizens are understandably shaken by past disasters. The government is taking proactive measures to enhance disaster management through substantial funding and initiatives aimed at mitigating the risks associated with natural disasters.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
