By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Deputy President, Paul Mashatile has sent condolences to the Kingdom of Morocco following the death of over 2000 people in an earthquake.
In a statement on Saturday, Mashatile said the thoughts of the people of South Africa are with the families that have lost their loved ones in this tragedy.
The Deputy President also wished all survivors a speedy recovery.
“We are deeply saddened by the shocking loss of life and extend our deepest sympathies to the people of Morocco, and wish all survivors strength and a speedy recovery,” he said.
Mashatile has commended the efforts of the emergency response institutions in the country and has full confidence that the Kingdom of Morocco will unite in their response and emerge even stronger following the disaster.
Morocco’s King Mohamed VI has declared three days of mourning and ordered mosques to hold funeral prayers this morning.
SA-based Gift of the Givers says its search and rescue and medical teams will be sent to Morocco if that country requests its help.
“Gift of the Givers is in contact with the South African Embassy in Morocco in the event we need to deploy,” it said.
This would be dependent on Moroccan officials requesting global assistance.
“Admirably, the government is managing the crisis internally. The armed forces and other sectors of society have been deployed. From our understanding offers of international aid have not been taken up as yet,” it said on Saturday.
Spain sent 56 rescuers and four search dogs to Morocco on Sunday after receiving a formal request for help.
Leaders of several African countries also extended condolences to Morocco.
In a statement, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said: “Nigeria will continue to stand in solidarity with Morocco as they recover, rebuild and come out stronger than ever from this unfortunate event.”
Rwandan President Paul Kagame said: “On behalf of all Rwandans, I express our deepest sympathy and solidarity with King Mohammed VI, the families of the victims and the people of Morocco in this moment of profound tragedy.”
“Rwanda stands with Morocco in this difficult time,” he added.
In a statement, Kenyan President William Ruto said: “Kenya stands with the people of Morocco as they deal with the devastating effects of the earthquake that struck their nation.”
The magnitude-7 quake occurred in various regions of Morocco late Friday, including El-Houz, Taroudant, Chichaoua, Tiznit, Marrakech, Azilal, Agadir, Casablanca and Youssoufia, the interior ministry said in a statement.
The quake was the strongest tremor to hit the North African country in the last century, according to Morocco’s National Geophysical Institute.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the epicenter of the earthquake, which hit just after 11 p.m. local time, was 75 kilometers (46.6 miles) southeast of Marrakech, at a depth of 18.5 kilometers.