An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale occurred in the North African country on Friday evening. The epicenter of the earthquake was 72 km southwest of Marrakesh.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 300,000 people in the city and surrounding mountainous areas were affected by the earthquake.

Hossam El Sharkawi, regional director of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said BBC that rescue workers were exhausted.

– The local rescue team had done a great job so far, but they were exhausted by the third day. And they need additional help.

Deadliest in sixty years

Friday’s earthquake was the deadliest in sixty years. According to the United States Geological Survey, earthquakes of this intensity are rare in Morocco. He wrote Al Jazeera.

In 1960 there was an earthquake measuring 5.8 in the area. Then more than 12,000 people lost their lives.

Care Norway Secretary General Kaj-Martin Georgsen recently visited the Turkish border cities of Gazantiep and Hatay, which were hit by an earthquake more than 7 months ago.

– There, the worst affected areas are still in ruins, and people can still live temporarily. It takes months, even years, to rebuild a society after such a disaster, he said.

Georgsen said Care is now working to provide emergency assistance to areas affected by the earthquake.

– We are very concerned about the impact of this earthquake on vulnerable groups who lost family members and had their homes destroyed.

International assistance

Spain, the United Kingdom, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are so far the four countries contributing to the search for the ruins.

BBC wrote today that Spain had sent 86 rescue workers and eight dogs to help find people in the rubble. Britain has sent 60 rescue workers and four dogs.

Several countries have stated that they are ready to help if Morocco asks for help. Including France and Israel.

Norway’s Foreign Ministry said at the weekend that it was not aware of any Norwegian citizens who were injured or had to be evacuated.

The Red Cross in China announced on Monday that it was donating $200,000 to the Red Crescent in Morocco.

Sending condolences

His Majesty King Harald today expressed his condolences to His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

– It was with great sadness that I heard about the earthquake that caused so much damage and claimed so many lives in Morocco.

On behalf of the royal family and the people of Norway, His Majesty King Harald expresses his deepest condolences to those affected by the natural disaster and the entire Moroccan people.