5.2-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Morocco’s Ouezzane Province Without Damage
A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Ouezzane Province, Morocco, with no reported damages. Residents experienced tremors across a large area, prompting increased vigilance due to memories of the deadly September 2023 earthquake. The Moroccan government is enhancing disaster preparedness through significant funding for prevention projects.
On Monday evening, the National Institute of Geophysics confirmed that a 5.2-magnitude earthquake hit Ouezzane Province in northern Morocco. Fortunately, no damage has been reported as per the Moroccan news agency MAP. The earthquake occurred at 11:48 p.m. at a depth of 20 kilometers, with its epicenter near Ksar el-Kebir, within the broader Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region.
The earthquake was recorded at 34.954 degrees north latitude and 5.635 degrees west longitude. Tremors from the quake were felt widely, reaching areas up to 200 kilometers south of the epicenter, including cities such as Fez, Casablanca, and Rabat, alongside northern cities like Tangier and Tetouan.
In light of recent seismic events, many residents evacuated their homes due to fear, recalling the tragic earthquake that struck Morocco in September 2023. That devastating event claimed the lives of at least 3,000 individuals and severely damaged infrastructure, particularly affecting small villages in the Al Haouz region.
In response to the past disaster, Moroccan authorities have committed to enhancing disaster management policies. In 2023, Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit announced that 325 projects, totaling MAD 4.72 billion (approximately $471 million), were funded through the program aimed at developing disaster risk reduction and prevention activities. Laftit elaborated that this program received significant financial support from the Fund to Combat the Effects of Natural Disasters, which comprised one-third of the total funding.
The recent earthquake in Ouezzane Province, Morocco, registered a 5.2 magnitude without reported damages. This event has sparked concerns among residents due to the devastating earthquake of September 2023, prompting governmental commitments to enhance disaster preparedness. Funding for related projects indicates Morocco’s proactive stance on reducing natural disaster risks.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
