Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has sent his condolences to King Mohammed VI of Morocco in the wake of the tragic earthquake that struck Morocco late Friday, into Saturday morning, resulting in several casualties, News About Nigeria understands.
President Tinubu expressed sympathies to the families who lost loved ones and all impacted by the tragedy. He also wished a quick and complete recovery to those injured in the earthquake.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu assured the Moroccan government and people that Nigerians stand in solidarity with them during this challenging period.
“In the face of this adversity, Nigeria will continue to stand in solidarity with Morocco as they recover, rebuild, and emerge stronger than ever from this unfortunate event,” President Tinubu stated.
Morocco is one of Africa’s biggest growing economies, located North of the continent. So far, a reports emanating from the country show that over 650 lives have been lost, with the death toll expected to rise further.
The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.2, struck Morocco’s High Atlas mountains, causing significant destruction and forcing residents in major cities to evacuate their homes. This earthquake is considered the deadliest in Morocco since at least 2004.
The quake is said to have caused damage to buildings in Marrakech, the nearest major city to the epicenter. Many residents was also said to have spent the night outdoors due to fear of returning to their homes.
Also, a mosque minaret in Jemaa al-Fna Square, located close to UNESCO World Heritage site, collapsed as a result of the earthquake at the ancient city of Marrakech.
