9th September, 2023
World leaders have reacted to the deadliest Moroccan earthquake which killed more than 1,000 people between Friday and Saturday.
The quake – measuring magnitude 6.8 – sent people rushing into the streets in Marrakesh and other cities. Many of the deaths were said to be in hard-to-reach mountain areas.
World leaders have paid condolence to Morocco and promised assistance.
US President Joe Biden said he was deeply saddened by the quake and that his administration is in contact with Moroccan officials.
Speaking through the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, he said his government is working expeditiously to ensure American citizens in Morocco were safe, and stood ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Moroccan people.
He also expressed his deep sadness at the loss of lives and destruction and expressed heartfelt condolences to those affected.
According to French President Emmanuel Macron, “We are all devastated by the terrible earthquake in Morocco. France is ready to help with the rescue efforts.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping said the earthquake is shocking, expressing his deepest condolences to the victims, their families and those injured.
“I believe that, under the leadership of your majesty the King, the Moroccan government and people can definitely quickly recover from this disaster and rebuild their homes,” he said.
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky sent his “deepest condolences to HM King Mohammed VI and all Moroccans for the lives lost in the horrible earthquake. I wish those injured a fast recovery.”
Russia’s Vladimir Putin said Russia shared the experiences and grief of the friendly people of Morocco.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, conveyed his best wishes to all Moroccan people affected by the earthquake disaster in friendly and brotherly Morocco.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo have also said that they and their countries are “with the victims” of the tragedy.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the G20 summit on Saturday with “heartfelt condolences” to everyone affected by the quake. He later said on his X account that he was “extremely pained by the loss of lives.”
Pope Francis on Saturday expressed his “profound solidarity” with Moroccans hit by the deadly earthquake in a telegram sent to Morocco by the Vatican’s Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.
“The Holy Father prays to the most high to support the people of Morocco in this ordeal and offers his encouragement to the civil authorities and rescue services,” it added.