【Editor's Note】
The number of deaths in the earthquake in Morocco has risen to 2,901, with 5,530 injured, the deadliest earthquake in Morocco since 1960.
The earthquake in Morocco caused damage not only to local homes, but also to historic sites such as the country's iconic mosque. Marrakech was the closest city to the epicenter, and many ancient buildings in the old city were damaged in the earthquake.
The "Red City" was badly damaged
Founded in the 11th century, Marrakech was for a long time the political, economic and cultural center of Morocco and was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1985. Filled with medieval palaces, mosques, gardens and bustling bazaars, it is Morocco's famous tourist destination. The streets and facades of Marrakech are also known as the "Red City" because they are reddish-brown.
On June 25, 2019, local time, Marrakech, Morocco, Gemafna Square was full of people.
Old Marrakech, Morocco, June 25, 2019.
Marrakech is a famous tourist city in Morocco with a population of more than 1 million. According to statistics, in the first half of this year, Morocco received 6.5 million tourists, an increase of 92% compared to the same period last year, of which Marrakech received more than 4.3 million tourists.
The thousand-year-old city was affected by the earthquake, and overnight, many buildings collapsed in the earthquake, the historical and cultural relics in the old city were damaged, and the streets were covered with rubble.
On September 10, 2023, local time, in the old city of Marrakech, Morocco, tourists dragged their suitcases past a damaged building.
On September 10, 2023, local time, a man rode a bicycle past a building damaged by an earthquake in the old city of Marrakech, Morocco.
On September 10, 2023, local time, in the old city of Marrakech, Morocco, the walls of houses collapsed, and a woman walked through the road covered with rubble.
On September 10, 2023, local time, in the old city of Marrakech, Morocco, buildings were seriously damaged in a strong earthquake.
On September 10, 2023, local time, in the old city of Marrakech, Morocco, a man inspects the damage caused by the earthquake.
The thousand-year-old ruins were tragically destroyed
After the earthquake, UNESCO official Eric Felt led a team to the ancient city of Marrakech to check on local monuments, help check for cultural heritage losses, ensure the safety of buildings and prepare for reconstruction, Xinhua reported.
"The damage was worse than we expected," Feldt said.
· Bahia Palace: cracks in the walls
Bahia Palace was built at the end of the 19th century and is one of the well-known tourist attractions in Marrakech. Today, due to the strong earthquake, Bahia Palace has been closed to visitors, the ground is littered with rubble and many cracks appear in the walls.
On September 10, 2023, local time, in the old city of Marrakech, Morocco, tourists gathered outside the gate of Bahia Palace.
· Koutoubia Mosque: Minaret cracks are evident
Located in the heart of the old city and regarded as a landmark and symbol of Marrakech, the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque has a "clear crack".
Videos posted by social platform netizens showed that when the earthquake struck, the Koutoubia Mosque standing on Gemafna Square shook, and citizens were flocking to a safe area. The Koutoubia Mosque has a long history, with a minaret about 69 meters high, known as the "Roof of Marrakech".
Left: Minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, Morocco, September 9, 2023, local time. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Huo Jing Right: When the earthquake struck, the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque was shaking. Video screenshots
· Kalbuzi Mosque: The spire collapsed
The spire of the Kalbuzi Mosque, also located near Jemafna Square, collapsed.
After the earthquake, the minaret of the Calbuci mosque near Gemafna Square in Marrakech, Morocco was damaged. UNESCO map
· Timmel Mosque: mostly collapsed
In addition to the monuments of the Marrakech area, another important historical building located in the village of Timmel, built in the 12th century, was badly damaged.
A Moroccan Ministry of Culture source reportedly said that "the Ministry of Culture has decided to restore it and will make a budget for this," without giving further details.
Above: On September 11, 2023, local time, Timmel, Morocco, the Timmel Mosque was severely damaged after the earthquake. Below: Tinmer Mosque before the earthquake
On September 11, 2023, local time, Tinmel, Morocco, the Timmel Mosque was seriously damaged after the earthquake.
· Ancient walls of Marrakech: the wall collapsed
The walls of the ancient city of Marrakech, built in the 12th century, did not escape the earthquake, and part of the wall peeled off and the wall collapsed.
On September 9, 2023, local time, Marrakech, Morocco, people drove past the damaged walls of the old city after the earthquake.
On September 10, 2023, local time, in Marrakech, Morocco, people walked by a pile of ruins of collapsed city walls.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, thousands of houses and buildings had been destroyed and many citizens displaced, and Morocco had established an inter-ministerial committee to deploy emergency programmes as soon as possible to assist the affected areas and rebuild the destroyed houses.
Image of this article by Xinhua Visual China IC