Sunday 15 / December / 2024
Muscat: The united spirit of Arabs stood out as thousands of Omanis joined Moroccans living in the Sultanate of Oman in mourning the deaths of over 2,000 people after a devastating earthquake hit Morocco on Friday.
The solidarity shown by Omanis and other expats came in the form of personal messages and prayers being shared or putting up Moroccan flags as their profile photos on their social media handles .
Moroccan expats in Oman have been praying for their loved ones back home, after a massive earthquake killed nearly 2,500 people and razed scores of buildings to the ground.
The news of the 6.8-quake that struck 72km, southwest of Marrakesh in the night on Friday saw the Moroccans expats calling up their near and dear ones to find out their well-being in their native places.
Muna, a Moroccan who works in an upscale restaurant in Qurum, sighed a big relief after getting to know that her family is safe in Marrakesh but was left heartbroken by the magnitude of the tragedy that left a trail of destruction.
“I am devastated at the large number of deaths. They were mothers, children, fathers, brothers and sisters of our own people. The fact that it struck in the night also led to more fatalities,” said Muna, while holding back her tears.
Sherif, who is a baker in Oman, was inconsolable as he lost his friend. “I don’t have much news except that I lost a close friend. The destruction is massive in the ancient city of Marrakesh and in Atlas Mountain towns like Moulay Brahim and in Amizmiz.”
Most of the dead - 1,351 - were in the Al Haouz district in the High Atlas Mountains, the Moroccan Interior Ministry said.
Flags were lowered across Morocco, as King Mohammed VI ordered three days of national mourning starting on Sunday. The army mobilised search and rescue teams, and the king ordered water, food rations and shelters to be sent to those who lost homes.
Huda Al Saqri, a university student, said: “The loss and the destruction that we have seen on TV is chilling. We extend our full support to our fellow Moroccan brothers and sisters. The decision by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to send immediate relief aid and rescue teams is a great show of solidarity with our fellow Arab country.”
Ahmed Al Mahrouqi, who has visited Morocco quite a few times, said he was relieved that his friends and business partners in Casablanca had not been affected, but like all Moroccan expats in Oman, he is grieving the deaths.
“We are extremely sad about what happened. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims.”
Sarah, another Moroccan expat in Muscat, who works in a beauty parlour said that her relative’s house was damaged in the earthquake.
“When I got the news of the quake, it was a terrifying thought to call back home and check on my family and relatives. Luckily, my family is safe but one of my close relatives’ houses has collapsed. Fortunately, they escaped the brunt as they were awake and ran out of their home.”
Sarah and her Omani friends are praying for all those who have been affected by the disaster.
“We are far away from home. But, all Moroccans are one family. So, we are deeply pained about the natural disaster in our country. When they are mourning there, we are mourning here,” added Sarah.
Sarah felt that survivors might take a lot of time to get out of the shock after witnessing deadly scenes of death and destruction.
“The announcement of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to send support to Morocco is a testimony of Arab brotherhood. We thank the Sultan and other world leaders for standing by Morocco at this time and sending generous support,” she added.
According to media reports, residents of the remote village of Moulay Brahim in the Atlas Mountains were suddenly surrounded by devastation, with hundreds reportedly dead, scores of homes crumpled and walls reduced to rubble. The village stands about 45km north-east of the quake’s epicentre and slightly more than an hour’s drive from Marrakesh.
Rescue crews are looking for more casualties or people in need of rescue following the biggest earthquake to hit the country in 120 years.
The majority of the deaths were in Marrakesh and five provinces near the epicenter.
More than 25 aftershocks have already hit the country since the 6.8 magnitude earthquake.
Some villagers say they are struggling to find enough space to bury their dead as funerals can take place besides rescue work. Others are preparing extra graves ready for more bodies, even as rescue operations continue.
