A 5.2-magnitude earthquake hit the Ouezzane province of Morocco, causing panic but no reported damages or casualties. The earthquake struck shortly after a devastating quake in 2023 that killed nearly 3,000 people. The government has increased funding for disaster risk management in response to past seismic events, with numerous projects underway.
A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco’s northwestern province of Ouezzane at 11:48 PM on Monday, as reported by the official MAP news agency. Fortunately, no damages or casualties have been recorded, although the quake caused considerable panic among residents, particularly following the devastating earthquake of September 2023 that resulted in thousands of fatalities. The earthquake’s epicenter was located near Ksar el-Kebir at a depth of 20 kilometers, with tremors felt in several cities up to 200 kilometers from the epicenter, including Rabat, Fez, and Casablanca.
Reactions to the tremor included people fleeing their homes in fear, reminiscent of the deadly earthquake last year that claimed nearly 3,000 lives and destroyed around 60,000 buildings. This previous disaster prompted Morocco’s government to implement enhanced disaster management initiatives. Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit reported that the government has invested significantly in projects aimed at disaster risk reduction and prevention, highlighting a commitment to better management of such natural calamities.
Under the “Incentives for the Development of Disaster Risk Reduction and Prevention Activities” program, approximately 325 projects have been funded, totaling MAD 4.72 billion (approximately $471 million). Notably, this initiative has been supported financially by the Fund to Combat the Effects of Natural Disasters, which provides nearly one-third of the total funding. These measures reflect Morocco’s ongoing resolve to advance its readiness for similar seismic events in the future.
In summary, a recent 5.2-magnitude earthquake in Morocco’s Ouezzane province triggered panic but left no reported casualties or damages. This incident came on the heels of a catastrophic earthquake in 2023, prompting the government to strengthen disaster risk management initiatives, including significant funding for prevention activities. The commitment to enhanced safety measures underscores Morocco’s proactive approach to managing natural disasters.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
