News: Rescue workers mobilized in Morocco are continuing their efforts to find possible survivors, despite increasingly slim chances. More than 72 hours after the earthquake which caused the death of 2,862 people, volunteers continue to work in Imine Tala, where the race against time continues.
In the Moroccan High Atlas, rescuers are not giving up. On September 11, 2023, a miracle was glimpsed when an imam, buried under the rubble of a collapsed mosque, was found alive. Unfortunately, this hope was short-lived as the imam eventually died. Fortunately, his wife and 7-year-old son were saved after three days under the debris.
The douar of Imine Tala, located at altitude on the mountain slopes, was hit hard by the earthquake. Sections of rock broke away from the mountain, crushing houses and places of worship. Farid, a 23-year-old hairdresser, lost hope and also lost ten members of his family. For him, it is time to let the victims rest in peace where they are. “There is nothing left here, nothing left to repair, and no future,” he says sadly. “Huge rocks have fallen, people are underground and we can’t get them out. All we have to do now is pray for them and let them rest.”
Yet from the beginning, Farid dug into the earth with his bare hands, trying to save as many people as possible. Even yesterday, he was fighting to free the cattle trapped in the sheepfolds. “When we find animals alive, we return them to their owner. If the animal is injured, we sacrifice it so that people can at least eat the meat,” he explains.
The higher you go, the greater the damage. Although help is pouring in, more than half of Imine Tala’s residents have already died or are missing. The situation is tragic and leaves an indelible mark on the local community.
In the midst of this tragedy, hope remains slim, but volunteers and rescuers continue their tireless fight to try to find survivors buried under the rubble. Their dedication and perseverance are admirable, and they deserve all our support and recognition.
It is important to stay informed of developments in Morocco and to support relief efforts by providing financial assistance or volunteering if possible. In these difficult times, solidarity and mutual aid are essential to overcome this ordeal and rebuild what has been destroyed.