‘We could hear screaming and crying:’ Canadians in Morocco describe earthquake

Canadians who’re in Morocco say an earthquake that’s killed greater than 2,000 individuals and injured a whole lot extra within the North African nation is “absolutely incredible” and “terrifying.”

Fiona Richards of Nelson, B.C., who’s on trip within the previous a part of Marrakech, mentioned she and pals from Vancouver had been in a house’s open courtyard when the shaking began Friday.

They weren’t positive they had been going to make it.

“During the rumbling, we were hiding under a doorway clutching each other. We were terrified, the house was shaking so hard, it was like the floors were moving,” Richards mentioned in a cellphone interview on Saturday.

“There were waves in the pool. We thought for sure the walls were coming down. We did not expect to get out of this without damage.”

When it stopped, Richards mentioned, “We could hear screaming and crying .. it was awful.”

Their rental residence escaped with only some new cracks, Richards mentioned, however bricks fell out of their neighbours’ residence and so they’re too frightened to return into it.

Many buildings have fallen, she mentioned, and individuals are sleeping outdoors in streets or different public areas. In the markets, artisans’ glasswork is all smashed.

Serge Sasseville, a Montreal metropolis councillor who can be in Morocco on trip, mentioned he was simply outdoors central Marrakech on the time of the quake.

Sassevilee mentioned he and folks round him are secure however “still shaken.”

“People were drinking and eating and everybody was having fun, but suddenly … the nightmare began,” Sasseville mentioned on the cellphone from his resort room within the inland metropolis. “I thought that somebody was making a joke and taking the carpet from under my seat because it was like the ground was swept from under my feet.”

“It was absolutely incredible,” he added.

No confirmed deaths of Canadians so far

He mentioned he noticed broken buildings and folks gathering in parks and schoolyards as he made his manner again to his resort downtown early Saturday morning. The neighbourhood round his resort was not extensively broken.

The quake’s epicentre was about 70 kilometres southwest of Marrakech, based on the U.S. Geological Survey, a authorities company that measures seismic exercise. It struck at 11:11 p.m. native time.

An announcement Saturday from Global Affairs Canada mentioned it isn’t conscious of any Canadian residents injured or killed within the earthquake, and that Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has been involved with employees on the Canadian embassy in Morocco, who’re all secure and accounted for.

The assertion mentioned up to now, 4,763 individuals in Morocco have registered with the Registration of Canadians Abroad database. The division has been involved with roughly 30 Canadian residents in Morocco and is offering help, the assertion famous.

“Canada and Morocco have a long-standing relationship, with strong people-to-people ties. Found throughout Canada, the vibrant Moroccan community embodies strength and resilience,” the assertion mentioned.

“Our hearts are with the families and friends of the people who lost their lives in the earthquake, as well as with all people affected.”

The minister has urged Canadians in Morocco to register with Global Affairs Canada. Those who need assistance ought to contact the federal Emergency Watch and Response Centre, which might present emergency consular help, Joly mentioned in a collection of posts Saturday morning on X, previously often called Twitter.

The uncommon, highly effective earthquake has killed greater than 2,000 individuals, and the toll was anticipated to rise as rescuers struggled Saturday to succeed in hard-hit distant areas. The 6.8-magnitude quake is the most important to hit Morocco in 120 years.

“Morocco is a friend of Canada”

Moroccan Montreal metropolis councillor Abdelhaq Sari mentioned Saturday that members of the area people have struggled to get info from rural areas of the nation following the catastrophe.

“What I know about the tragedy is in the urban places … we can have communication, we can have information,” he mentioned in a cellphone interview. “However when we go to the rural places it’s very hard.”

Sari mentioned he was in a position to confirm that members of his household within the capital metropolis of Rabat are secure. However, he mentioned the charitable group the place he serves as vice-chair, Orphan Sun, has had issue reaching its community in different elements of the nation.

Mohamed Moutahir, chairperson of the group — which helps African and Canadian orphans — mentioned he spent the night time making an attempt to contact its companions in Morocco.

“I didn’t sleep,” he mentioned. “I was in touch with them to get all the information, all the details how we can help.”

Moutahir mentioned he’s already seeing a “surge of solidarity” mobilizing to assist victims of the quake. He and Sari are calling on the Canadian authorities to assist with support efforts.

“Morocco is a is a friend of Canada,” Sari mentioned. “If we can help it will be very, very appreciated.”

Global Affairs Canada mentioned “it stands ready to assist the people of Morocco at this difficult time and Minister Joly has asked the department to identify how best to offer that support.”

There are roughly 100,000 Canadians of Moroccan first rate, based on the newest census. About 81,000 Moroccan Canadians reside in Quebec, and almost half of that inhabitants is in Montreal. Several Quebec politicians took to social media Saturday to precise their concern and solidarity for these affected by the catastrophe.

“My thoughts are with the Moroccan people,” Premier François Legault wrote on X Friday night time. “Marrakech, Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Essaouira, all magnificent cities that I have visited.”

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante wrote on X that “the images coming in from Morocco after the country was hit by an earthquake, are heartbreaking.”

“Tonight, an entire community has been shaken. My thoughts are with Montrealers of Moroccan origin. Our hearts go out to you.”

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