The king of Morocco declares three days of mourning for the victims of the earthquake

MADRID, 9 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, chaired an emergency meeting this Saturday at the Royal Palace of Rabat to examine the situation and in which three days of mourning have been declared for the fatalities of the earthquake, 1,037, according to the latest balance. official.

The officials present at the meeting have transferred to the monacra "the latest events in the affected prefectures and provinces, particularly in some towns that were inaccessible at night and in which the update of the situation and the intervention of the emergency services could "take place only at dawn," the Royal Family explained in a statement.

Response measures include mobilization by royal order of the Royal Armed Forces, local authorities, police and civil protection forces. The objective is to strengthen search and rescue efforts, guarantee the supply of drinking water in the affected areas, the resumption of public services and the distribution of food and tents and blankets.

In particular, the Royal Armed Forces have urgently deployed "important human and logistical resources, air and land, as well as specialized intervention modules with search and rescue teams and a medical-surgical field hospital.

In addition, Mohammed VI has called for the immediate creation of an "inter-ministerial commission in charge of implementing an emergency program for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of destroyed homes in disaster areas", as well as "care for people in danger, in particular orphans and vulnerable people.

The authorities also hope to achieve a "stimulus of economic operators with a view to a rapid resumption of activities." In addition, a special account has been opened at the central bank to receive solidarity contributions.

It has also been reported on the mobilization of the Mohamed V Foundation for Solidarity "to provide support and accompaniment to the citizens of the affected areas."

The monarch has expressed "Morocco's most sincere gratitude" to all the countries that have expressed their solidarity with the Moroccan people in the face of this catastrophe.

In addition to the three days in which flags will fly at half-mast in all public buildings, Mohamed VI has also ordered prayers in all mosques in the country for the souls of the victims.

The Prime Minister, Aziz Ajanuch; the Minister of the Interior, Abdeluafi Laftit; the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Khalid Ait Taleb and Lieutenant General Mohamed Berrid, as well as commanders of the Royal Gendarmerie, Civil Protection, National Security, National Territorial Surveillance and the Mohamed V Foundation for Solidarity. The crown prince, Moulay el Hassan, was also present.