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We had nice cool evening fortunately one of the benefits of being out here is that when the sun goes down then it does get chilly, it was a duvet only situation rather than a blanket situation. As we were so close ot he Medina wall we were greeted in the morning from about 5am with the semi constant crowing of cockerels, which was later joined by the call to prayer. Being in this location we were surrounded by mosques and it was probably the loudest call to prayer we have heard since Essaouira. Even as the sun rose it was a much more overcast start to the day which as you can imagine meant Mum was in a decent mood almost instantly.
When we went for food yesterday i thought id seen some people wearing high vis jackets that looked like the Moroccan red cross. We also sore some tents in a couple of places like white square tents that we thought must have been for some sort of market. All of sudden after putting the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle together we realised the reason. Most of you will know there was an earth quake here in September ’23. It was only at that point i realised how badly impacted this town was by the huge earthquake. With it being only 70 odd miles away from the epic centre of the quake high in the atlas mountains it certainly makes you realise that moaning about air con in the motorhome is absolutely irrelevant when you have whole communities damaged and people still living in tents. An unpleasant humbling experience.
Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The earthquake that struck Morocco in September 2023 was a significant natural disaster with far-reaching impacts across several regions, including Taroudant. Here’s a summary of the event and its effects:
Overview of the Earthquake
- Magnitude and Epicentre: The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.8 and its epicentre was located near the town of Oukaïmedene, in the High Atlas mountains. This magnitude indicates a strong earthquake with the potential to cause significant damage, especially in areas with vulnerable structures.
- Timing: The earthquake occurred on 8 September 2023, with aftershocks following the initial quake. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that follow the largest shock of an earthquake sequence and can contribute to further damage and distress.
Impact on Taroudant and Surrounding Areas
- Casualties: The earthquake resulted in over 2,900 fatalities and approximately 5,500 injuries throughout the affected areas. These numbers reflect the devastating human toll of the earthquake.
- Infrastructure Damage: In Taroudant and other impacted regions, buildings, homes, and infrastructure suffered extensive damage. This destruction included historical structures, residential buildings, and vital infrastructure, highlighting the need for earthquake-resistant construction practices in susceptible areas.
- Community and Recovery Efforts: The aftermath of the earthquake saw communities coming together to support rescue and relief operations. International aid and local support played crucial roles in providing assistance to those affected. Recovery efforts focused on providing shelter, medical care, and rebuilding damaged infrastructure.
- Cultural and Historical Loss: Some of the affected areas, including Taroudant, are known for their rich cultural heritage and historical sites. The earthquake caused damage to these irreplaceable sites, representing a loss not only to Morocco but to global cultural heritage.
The earthquake in Morocco serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by natural disasters in seismically active regions. It underscores the importance of preparedness, resilient building practices, and community awareness to mitigate the impact of future earthquakes. For Taroudant and similar towns, the recovery process involves not only rebuilding physical structures but also supporting the affected communities to overcome the trauma and losses experienced.
The response to the earthquake in Morocco illustrates the critical role of international cooperation and solidarity in disaster response and recovery efforts, highlighting the global community’s capacity to come together in support of those in need.
We had a nice horce drawn cart trip around the town looking at the over 7km town walls and then headed back to our little slice of heaven here in Agadir. To be fair i was absolutely buzzing to get back as this place is incredible and it is no suprise having been somewhere else why i love it here so much. However, the place we went ot was absolutely rammed, we were of course the only English van on the whole car park and how some of the french people stay there for weeks and months on end i will never know. Once you have seen the town and then had a few days relaxing your left wondering what on earth they do there for months on end. Unless it is a financial decision but id rather have less and be here.
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