A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Ouezzane Province, Morocco, on Monday with no reported damage. The tremors were felt broadly, prompting many to evacuate based on fears stemming from a recent deadly earthquake in 2023. Morocco is enhancing its disaster management strategies with significant funding for risk reduction initiatives.
On Monday evening, a 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Ouezzane Province in northern Morocco, as confirmed by the National Institute of Geophysics. Fortunately, no damage was reported, as indicated by the Moroccan news agency MAP. The earthquake occurred at 11:48 p.m., with a depth of 20 kilometers and its epicenter located near Ksar el-Kebir, within the larger Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region.
The quake’s coordinates were reported as 34.954 degrees north latitude and 5.635 degrees west longitude. Tremors from the earthquake were felt up to 200 kilometers south of the epicenter, impacting cities such as Fez, Casablanca, and Rabat, alongside other northern areas including Tangier and Tetouan. Many residents evacuated their homes, driven by fear and the traumatic memories of the devastating earthquake that occurred in 2023, which was one of the deadliest in the nation’s history.
The previous earthquake in the Al Haouz region on September 8, 2023, resulted in a tragic loss of at least 3,000 lives and severely compromised infrastructure, primarily affecting small villages in the area. In light of this disaster, Morocco has committed to enhancing its disaster management strategies. Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit announced that 325 projects, financed under the program “Incentives for the Development of Disaster Risk Reduction and Prevention Activities,” received funding totaling MAD 4.72 billion (approximately $471 million).
Minister Laftit further elaborated on the government’s risk management approach concerning natural disasters, noting that the mentioned program was funded by the Fund to Combat the Effects of Natural Disasters, which provided one-third of the overall financial support for these initiatives.
The 5.2-magnitude earthquake that recently impacted Ouezzane Province did not result in reported damages, despite causing significant concern among residents recalling prior natural disasters. Morocco’s ongoing commitment to disaster management is evident through substantial financial investments and strategic initiatives aimed at reducing risk and enhancing resilience against future earthquakes. The national government is taking proactive measures to safeguard communities following the catastrophic events of 2023.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
