A 5.2-magnitude earthquake hit Ouezzane Province, Morocco, with no reported damage. The quake triggered fears among residents, recalling a devastating 2023 earthquake. The Moroccan government is actively enhancing disaster management strategies through significant funding for risk reduction projects.
A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Ouezzane Province in northern Morocco on Monday evening. The National Institute of Geophysics confirmed that the quake occurred at 11:48 p.m., with a depth of 20 kilometers and an epicenter located near Ksar el-Kebir. Despite its intensity, no damage has been reported, according to the Moroccan news agency, MAP.
The tremors from the earthquake were felt across a vast area, extending up to 200 kilometers south to cities such as Fez, Casablanca, and Rabat, along with northern cities including Tangier and Tetouan. Many residents evacuated their homes, shaken by memories of the catastrophic earthquake in 2023, which claimed at least 3,000 lives in the Al Haouz region and severely damaged local infrastructure.
In light of past events, Morocco has intensified its disaster management measures. Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit announced that 325 projects valued at MAD 4.72 billion ($471 million) are being developed under the “Incentives for the Development of Disaster Risk Reduction and Prevention Activities” program. Financial backing for this initiative is partly sourced from the Fund to Combat the Effects of Natural Disasters, which contributed one-third of the total funding.
In conclusion, the recent earthquake in Ouezzane Province, Morocco, registered a magnitude of 5.2, prompting heightened concerns due to past seismic events. Fortunately, no significant damage has been reported. The Moroccan government remains proactive in disaster management, supporting numerous risk reduction initiatives to enhance preparedness and response strategies in the face of natural disasters.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
