Morocco's Devastating Earthquake: 800 Lives Lost, Ancient Landmarks Crumble

Image credit: France 24 Image credit: France 24

A rare, powerful earthquake struck Morocco, claiming 800 lives

[{"selector":"#anim-9a7166aa-3be3-4b9a-915c-e3543b7fa1df [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(4.090909047693671%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image credit: the killean herald Image credit: the killean herald

It hit remote mountain villages and Marrakech, causing widespread destruction.

[{"selector":"#anim-dacc696b-5d11-4a0c-a1e0-3dbfd2be9f4a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(68.61249980954187%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Image credit: Ashraq-al-awast Image credit: Ashraq-al-awast

Terrified residents fled their homes as buildings shook violently.

[{"selector":"#anim-3c0d8a40-a9c2-41d1-be2e-1fdaa13595dd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.246337776828504%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Image credit: The us sun Image credit: The us sun

The magnitude-6.8 quake was Morocco's strongest in a century.

[{"selector":"#anim-b0187b7a-5e8f-45fc-84f0-8f8c4d6ae4bc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(62.49999944233369%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Image credit: The newyork times Image credit: The newyork times

Ancient stone structures crumbled, unprepared for such tremors.

Image credit: Thebhutanese Image credit: Thebhutanese

Rescuers faced challenges as the death toll climbed, possibly into thousands.

[{"selector":"#anim-965b3be0-c8f0-42d3-9ecd-cf5d3b037e90 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(13.8457563058282%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image credit: the wall street journel Image credit: the wall street journel

Landmarks like the Koutoubia Mosque and city walls suffered damage.

[{"selector":"#anim-50217e9b-af2a-4eba-8ac9-ae8608221a94 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(62.4840619738931%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Image credit: CNBC Image credit: CNBC

The military and emergency services mobilized amid blocked roads.

[{"selector":"#anim-86ec00c8-2dc2-4205-938b-da8bcaa8cc00 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(57.7692305129761%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Image credit: Times Colonist Image credit: Times Colonist

Global support, including from Turkey, France, and Germany, was offered.

[{"selector":"#anim-2254921d-5581-4ed8-bbff-437948d48686 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-62.49999977245145%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Image credit: Aljazeera Image credit: Aljazeera

This rare seismic event underlined North Africa's vulnerability.

Image credit: Reuters Image credit: Reuters