President Sergio Mattarella said Saturday Italy stood ready to contribute to rescue and relief efforts following the Morocco earthquake of 6.8 magnitude. The quake killed hundreds of people in the north African country overnight.
The Moroccan government says the death toll has reached 1,037, with more than 1,200 injured, the Associated Press (AP) reports. Of those injured, the interior ministry says 721 were in critical condition.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has ordered the armed forces to mobilise air and land assets, specialised search and rescue teams and a surgical field hospital.
The Associated Press news agency says the measure is a sign of the huge scale of the disaster. However, despite offers of help from around the world, including Italy and Spain, the Moroccan government has not formally asked for assistance. This is required before outside rescue crews can deploy.
“The news of the earthquake that struck Morocco tonight has aroused in all Italians and in me personally immense sadness,” Mattarella said in a message sent to the King of Morocco Muhammad VI.
“In this circumstance, which is so painful for our friend the Moroccan people, I would like to convey to Your Majesty, to the Government, and to all the families of those who have lost their lives, Italy’s expressions of profound sorrow and my heartfelt condolences.
“We are close to you with feelings of genuine solidarity and wish the injured a complete recovery, expressing willingness to contribute to the complex rescue work,” Mattarella concluded.
So far, the toll from the quake stands at over a thousand. However, it is feared set to rise into the thousands.
