Three days of national mourning declared in Morocco

According to the written statement of the Royal Court of Morocco, a meeting was held under the presidency of King Mohammed VI to discuss the consequences of the earthquake.

King Mohammed VI decided at the meeting to declare three days of national mourning in Morocco and lower the flags in public institutions to half-mast.

The King of Morocco commissioned the creation as soon as possible of a committee of ministers in charge of developing an emergency program for the reconstruction of the houses destroyed by the earthquake.

In addition, the meeting decided to take urgent measures to strengthen search and rescue teams, accelerate rescue and evacuation processes and deliver basic needs such as drinking water, food and tents to the areas affected by the earthquake.

King Mohammed VI of Morocco also ordered to care for earthquake victims in difficult conditions, provide emergency aid to those left homeless during the earthquake and cover their needs for shelter, nutrition and all basic needs.

A magnitude 7 earthquake occurred yesterday at 11:10 p.m. local time in the El-Huz region of Marrakech, Morocco.

The earthquake was reported to have affected the cities of Casablanca, Meknes, Agadir and Fez, especially the capital Rabat. (AA)