A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck northern Morocco’s Ouezzane province on Monday night, local authorities confirmed. The tremor, which occurred at a shallow depth, was felt across several regions, including the capital Rabat, Kenitra, Sidi Kacem, Fes, Ksar el-Kebir, and Larache. Nasser Jebour, head of Morocco’s National Institute of Geophysics, stated that while the quake caused widespread concern, no casualties or major damage have been reported so far.
On social media, videos showed residents rushing out of their homes and gathering in open spaces, fearing aftershocks or building collapses. The incident has raised fresh concerns about earthquake preparedness, especially in rural areas where infrastructure remains weak.
This tremor follows a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Morocco’s Al-Haouz province on September 8, 2023. That disaster, one of the deadliest in the country’s history, killed over 3,000 people, injured more than 6,000, and displaced hundreds of thousands. Remote villages in the High Atlas Mountains suffered the most, with around 2.8 million people affected, according to government estimates. Reconstruction efforts are still underway, and many survivors remain in temporary shelters.
Morocco lies near the boundary of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it prone to earthquakes. The 2023 Al-Haouz quake occurred in a high-risk zone where these plates converge, creating significant stress along fault lines. Although Monday’s quake was less severe, its location in the north highlights the country’s broader vulnerability to seismic activity, even in areas not traditionally considered high-risk.
The public reaction to the tremor reflects the lingering trauma from last year’s disaster. Many Moroccans have called for stronger enforcement of earthquake-resistant building codes, particularly in rural areas. In response, the government has promised to improve disaster response systems and invest in resilient infrastructure, though progress has been slow.
The 2023 earthquake drew international support, with rescue teams and financial aid arriving from various countries. While Monday’s tremor did not require such a response, it serves as a reminder of the urgent need for better disaster preparedness and early warning systems in earthquake-prone regions.
As Morocco continues to recover from the 2023 tragedy, this latest event highlights the importance of building resilience against natural disasters to protect lives and livelihoods in the future.