Damage assessment in historically valuable sites is just getting started.
A major city in Morocco’s earthquake zone is Marrakesh. Located at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, the city is the fourth largest in the country. Almost a million people live there.
Marrakesh is historically significant. The old city, fortified with its walls, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It shelters shopping alleys or souks popular with tourists.
Residents have said that some buildings have collapsed there as well.
Local TV pictures have shown, among other things, a collapsed minaret of a mosque and walls that have collapsed on top of cars.
Because of its historical attractions, Marrakesh has grown into a popular tourist and meeting city, especially during the northern hemisphere winter season. Among other things, a major film festival is organized in the city every year.
The priority is now rescue work. The survey and assessment of the cultural-historical damage will begin in Marrakesh and its surroundings as the rescue work progresses.
AP, Reuters