Morocco Experiences 5.2-Magnitude Earthquake in Ouezzane Province

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco’s Ouezzane province, causing no casualties or damage but sparking panic among residents due to memories of a devastating quake in 2023. The earthquake, occurring at a depth of 20 kilometers, was felt in several major cities, prompting a governmental focus on disaster management initiatives following prior tragedies.

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake occurred in Morocco’s Ouezzane province, striking at 11:48 PM on Monday. According to the official MAP news agency and Morocco’s National Institute of Geophysics, the quake’s epicenter was located near Ksar el-Kebir, at a depth of 20 kilometers, with coordinates of 34.954 degrees north latitude and 5.635 degrees west longitude.

The tremors were felt in cities approximately 200 kilometers south of the epicenter, including the capital Rabat, as well as Fez, Casablanca, and northern cities like Tangier and Tetouan. Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties or damage, though the earthquake did incite considerable panic among residents, reminiscent of the devastation experienced in 2023.

The 2023 earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.8, resulted in nearly 3,000 fatalities and significant destruction in the mountainous High Atlas region. Following this tragic event, Morocco initiated several measures aimed at improving disaster management and response capabilities in the wake of such calamities.

In 2023, Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit announced the initiation of around 325 projects amounting to MAD 4.72 billion ($471 million) under the “Incentives for the Development of Disaster Risk Reduction and Prevention Activities” program. This initiative has received substantial funding from the Fund to Combat the Effects of Natural Disasters, which accounts for nearly one-third of the total funding allocated for these projects.

In summary, a recent 5.2-magnitude earthquake in Morocco’s Ouezzane province has raised alerts but fortunately resulted in no reported damage or casualties. This event highlights the ongoing concerns about seismic activity in the region, particularly following the catastrophic earthquake in 2023. The Moroccan government is actively working on various projects to enhance disaster preparedness and risk reduction in response to past tragedies.

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