Experts advise caution near quake epicenter as Morocco records second strongest tremor

 The National Institute of Geophysics stressed the need for residents of the impacted areas to be vigilant due to the newest tremors, the last of which happened Thursday morning, which may result in additional damage.

“This tremor was expected and falls within the aftershocks that are always smaller than the original tremor,” said Nasser Jabour, Director of the National Institute of Geophysics.

He warned that while these tremors are less strong, they may nevertheless inflict more damage to the afflicted areas, necessitating extra caution.

The National Institute of Geophysics advised residents of the impacted areas to remain out of their homes.

The director of the National Institute of Geophysics stated that even a small earthquake might cause the damaged homes to collapse. “Even if citizens are required to return home to fetch some items, they should not stay in their homes for more than a few seconds, and should hurry out of them.”

The official warned that earthquakes might cause “landslides” or even “close previously opened roads,” urging aid troops and volunteers  to keep “intervention methods ready to reopen roads and mountain paths.”

The 4.8 magnitude aftershock that was registered this morning was “a tangible shock that was felt by residents of the cities adjacent to the earthquake’s epicenter,” according to Nasser Jabour.

The National Institute of Geophysics’ head emphasized that “the aftershocks that will be recorded will always not exceed 5.7 degrees on the Richter scale,” pointing out that these tremors can register mild aftershocks in far-off cities up to 200 kilometers from the epicenter.

Yesterday afternoon, a new tremor struck the Amezmiz region, resulting in small rocks falling from the mountains with no reported injuries.

The public authorities are still working to this day to rescue and evacuate the injured, care for the injured victims, and mobilize all available resources to deal with the impact of this traumatic event.