As of 2:00 p.m. on September 9 (Vietnam time), a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Morocco has claimed at least 820 lives and injured 672 people, according to the Morocco Ministry of Home Affairs.
The center of the earthquake was in the High Atlas mountains, about 72 km southwest of Marrakech. The city has about 840,000 people and is a famous tourist destination.
Once a royal city with nearly a thousand years of history, Marrakech has many palaces, Hoi giao Churches, gardens and bustling markets dating back to the Middle Ages.
The center of the ancient city is surrounded by red mud walls, first built in the 12th century. Inside the walls are buildings built with red sandstone, making the city nicknamed the "Red City".
The red wall is about 9 km long, surrounding the entire lives of the people inside. That is why this place becomes even more mysterious, attracting the curiosity of tourists.
Coming to Marrakech, visitors can admire the Islamic church, Medersa Ben Youssouf University built in the 14th century and many famous buildings with unique architecture. Tourists coming here also enjoy seeing the massive towers and palaces, enjoying street food, visiting markets, experiencing the lives of local people...
In addition to its rich culture and history, Marrakech is also the fourth largest city in Morocco and a major economic center. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the ancient city attracted nearly three million tourists in 2019.
After the earthquake, the red earth walls were damaged, and some buildings in the old quarter that were recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage were also collapsed.
Officials and people of this country are actively working to respond to and overcome earthquakes. However, it is certain that the number of deaths and damage will continue to increase.
