The president of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, expressed her solidarity with Morocco and offered help to the African country after the earthquake on Friday night that caused 632 deaths and 329 injuries.
“My thoughts are with the Moroccan people in the face of the terrible earthquake,” Von der Leyen wrote on social media about the 6.9 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale with its epicenter southwest of Marrakech.
“My thoughts are with the families of the victims, with the injured to whom I wish a speedy recovery and with the first responders who are doing an admirable job,” he added, quoted by the Spanish agency EFE.
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, described the news of the “devastating earthquake” in Morocco as terrifying and affirmed that the European Union (EU) is willing to help the North African country.
“My thoughts are with all the people affected by this tragedy and with the rescue teams involved in the search operation. The EU is ready to support Morocco in these difficult times,” he said.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, also described the news from Morocco as devastating, “following an earthquake that killed hundreds of people and left many others homeless.”
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, also provided Morocco with “all the help it wants.”
European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said the EU Emergency Response Coordination Center “is closely monitoring the situation.”
Lenarcic said the EU “stands ready to provide all necessary assistance if requested.”
According to a report updated this morning by the Moroccan Government, 632 deaths and 329 injuries have already been recorded, 51 of whom are in serious condition.
This is a provisional assessment, given that search and rescue operations continue in the different affected cities and towns.
The earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 18.5 kilometers at 11:11 p.m. local time (same time in Lisbon), was felt in Portugal and Spain.
The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) stated that it was felt in the municipalities of Castro Marim, Faro, Loulé, Portimão, Vila Real de Santo António (Faro), Cascais, Lisbon, Torres Vedras, Vila Franca de Xira ( Lisbon), Almada, Setúbal and Sines (Setúbal).
It was also felt less intensely in the municipalities of Coimbra, in Albufeira, Olhão, Silves (Faro), Alenquer, Loures, Mafra, Oeiras, Sintra, Amadora, Odivelas (Lisbon), Santo Tirso, Vila Nova de Gaia (Porto). , Santiago Cacém, Seixal and Sesimbra (Setúbal).
Source: TSF
