A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Ouezzane Province, Morocco, with no reported damage. The tremors were felt across several cities, causing public fear due to past earthquakes. The Moroccan government has pledged increased measures for disaster management, backed by significant funding for preventive projects.
On Monday evening, the National Institute of Geophysics confirmed a 5.2-magnitude earthquake occurred in Ouezzane Province, northern Morocco. Fortunately, no damage has been reported, according to the Moroccan news agency MAP. The earthquake registered at 11:48 PM at a depth of 20 kilometers, with its epicenter located near Ksar el-Kebir in the greater Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region.
The earthquake’s coordinates were determined to be at 34.954 degrees north latitude and 5.635 degrees west longitude. Reports indicate that tremors were felt up to 200 kilometers south of the epicenter, affecting cities such as Fez, Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, and Tetouan. Following the event, many residents evacuated their homes due to anxiety stemming from the devastating earthquake in 2023, which resulted in significant loss of life and property damage.
The earthquake in September 2023 struck the Al Haouz region, leading to the tragic deaths of over 3,000 individuals and extensive destruction of infrastructure, particularly affecting small villages. In light of these events, Morocco’s government initiated further measures as part of its disaster management policy to reinforce preparedness against natural calamities.
In 2023, Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit announced that 325 projects with a total value of MAD 4.72 billion (approximately $471 million) were funded under the “Incentives for the Development of Disaster Risk Reduction and Prevention Activities” program. Laftit noted that the government financed this initiative primarily through the Fund to Combat the Effects of Natural Disasters, which provided one-third of the program’s budget.
In summary, a recent 5.2-magnitude earthquake in Ouezzane, Morocco, has not resulted in damage, but has alarmed residents due to the traumatic memories of a previous deadly earthquake. The government is actively enhancing disaster management strategies, including funding numerous projects for disaster risk reduction, reflecting a commitment to safeguarding the community against future natural disasters.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
