A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Ouezzane Province in Morocco with no damages reported. The tremors were felt up to 200 km away, triggering fears reminiscent of the 2023 deadly quake that killed 3,000. The Moroccan government is enhancing its disaster management policies with significant financial allocations for risk reduction initiatives.
On Monday evening, a 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Ouezzane Province in northern Morocco, confirmed by the National Institute of Geophysics. The earthquake occurred at 11:48 p.m., with an epicenter near Ksar el-Kebir and a depth of 20 kilometers. Fortunately, no damage has been reported according to Moroccan news agency MAP.
The tremors extended up to 200 kilometers south of the epicenter, affecting cities such as Fez, Casablanca, and Rabat, as well as northern cities like Tangier and Tetouan. Many residents evacuated their homes due to fear, recalling the previous earthquake in 2023, which was among the deadliest in Moroccan history.
The catastrophic quake in the Al Haouz region on September 8, 2023, resulted in the deaths of approximately 3,000 people and significant damage to infrastructure, particularly in small villages. This led to heightened awareness and fear of seismic activities in the country.
In response to the 2023 disaster, Morocco has enhanced its disaster management policies. Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit reported that 325 projects, costing MAD 4.72 billion ($471 million), were funded under the “Incentives for the Development of Disaster Risk Reduction and Prevention Activities” program.
Laftit also noted that the program received financial support from the Fund to Combat the Effects of Natural Disasters, which contributed one-third of the overall funding, demonstrating the government’s commitment to addressing the risks associated with natural disasters.
The recent 5.2-magnitude earthquake in Ouezzane Province, Morocco, did not result in any reported damage, although fear among residents remains high due to the deadly earthquake in 2023. The Moroccan government is actively implementing disaster risk reduction initiatives, having launched multiple projects to enhance disaster management and preparedness in reaction to past seismic events.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
