UPDATES WITH FURTHER CONDOLENCE MESSAGES, DEATH TOLL, MINOR EDITS
By Esra Tekin and Beyza Binnur Donmez
ISTANBUL/GENEVA (AA) – European leaders on Saturday condoled with Morocco following an overnight earthquake in the North African country that killed more than 800 people.
The strong earthquake struck central Morocco just after 11. p.m. local time (22:11 GMT) on Friday, killing at least 820 people and injuring 672, according to the country's Interior Ministry.
The epicenter was 71 km (44 miles) southwest of Marrakesh, at a depth of 18.5 km, the USGS said.
Videos of several buildings being damaged or collapsed surfaced, with parts of the famous red walls in Marrakesh also said to be affected.
French President Macron expressed his condolences, saying: "We are all devastated after the terrible earthquake in Morocco. France stands ready to help with first aid."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the tremors as "bad news," tweeting that in these "difficult hours, our thoughts are with the victims of the devastating earthquake. Our sympathy goes to all those affected by this natural disaster."
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also voiced solidarity with the Moroccan people, saying "Spain is with the victims of this tragedy and their families."
Another country that vowed "full support in this emergency" was Italy with Prime Minister Georgia Meloni expressing "sorrow" over the devastating effects of the quake.
"My thoughts are with everyone affected by the terrible earthquake in Morocco last night," UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said, underlining that his country "stands ready to support our Moroccan friends."
Noting that the UK is continuing to support British nationals in the region following the earthquake, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in a tweet: "We stand ready to help our Moroccan friends in whatever way we can."
“My thoughts are with the families of the victims, the injured to whom I wish a speedy recovery, and the first responders who are doing an admirable job,” said Ursula Von der Leyen, president of the European Commission on X account, formerly known as Twitter.
The president of European Council Charles Michel, meanwhile, expressed the EU’s readiness to support Morocco “during these difficult times.” “My thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy and with the rescuers involved in the search operation.,” he said.
European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre is "closely monitoring" the situation. "We stand ready to provide any assistance necessary if requested," Lenarcic said.
President of European Parliament Roberta Metsola and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell Fontelles also shared messages of support.
"We stand ready to support the immediate health needs," World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X.
Jagan Chapagain, the secretary general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), said teams from Moroccan Red Crescent responded immediately after the earthquake, adding: "IFRC is ready to support."
Calling the quake "terrible news," Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte said his thoughts were with the many victims of this disaster and with the local emergency services.
Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Switzerland's President Alain Berset also extended their condolences to the Moroccan government and the people, and voiced solidarity in their messages on social media.