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BBC OS Conversations: The earthquake in Morocco

Factual

The earthquake in Morocco

15/09/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - BBC OS Conversations, The earthquake in Morocco

Survivors, volunteers and rescue workers share their experiences

Survivors, volunteers and rescue workers share their experiences.

The earthquake struck in a region of the High Atlas Mountains. Its force destroyed entire villages and could be felt across the country, and even in neighbouring Algeria.

Around 3,000 people lost their lives and thousands were injured. It’s described as the worst earthquake in the country in 60 years. 

We reflect on the events of the past few days and share the experiences of those dealing with the aftermath including survivors, volunteers and rescue workers. 

Tour guide Mohamed and Majda, an architect, tell host James Reynolds what it was like when the earthquake struck their hometown of Marrakesh. Mohamed describes how he ran from his house in his bare feet. We also bring together two young volunteers, Amine and Amina, part of a grassroots effort to get supplies to those most in need in the mountains.

There has been some criticism of the initial response of the Moroccan authorities; and, in particular, their decision to only allowing international support from four countries. They said they wanted to ensure the rescue and aid effort was controllable and effective. We speak to Paul Philipp, a rescue volunteer in Germany and Ayça Aydın, a Turkish rescue worker, from the organisation Global Empowerment Mission. She visited some of the worst affected areas to care for survivors. “I just hug them, and we just hug each other and cry with each other,” Ayça tells us.

A Boffin Media production in partnership with the OS team.

(Photo: Morocco earthquake death toll surpasses 2,900, Amizmiz, 14 Sept, 2023. Credit: Mohamed Messara/EPA)

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