The quake caused buildings to collapse and aftershocks are likely to occur in the area in the coming days.
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Morocco on Friday, killing more than 2,800 people and injuring thousands more.
Rescue operations are still ongoing, and the death toll could rise further if rescue operations continue. The epicenter of the quake was about 70 kilometers southwest of Marrakech, a city popular with international tourists.
experts say: earthquake aftershocks We may be staying in the area for the next few days. At least 25 cases have already occurred since Friday, according to the European Mediterranean Earthquake Center.
Thousands of people are booking visits to Morocco this fall, but is it safe to travel to Morocco?
Which areas of Morocco are affected by earthquakes?
The epicenter of the earthquake was high in the Atlas Mountains, meaning the worst-hit areas were in central Morocco. The majority of deaths were rescue operation They are concentrated in remote mountain villages that are difficult to access.
“Due to the earthquake’s shallow depth and proximity to populated areas, many buildings were shaken violently, potentially causing catastrophic destruction,” the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said in a report.
The nearest tourist hub is Marrakech, Morocco’s fourth largest city, where buildings were damaged or collapsed due to the disaster. Most of the damage occurred in the medina. UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest part of Marrakech. The historic building was not built with earthquakes in mind.
The Atlas Mountains are also a popular trekking destination, and there have been reports of tourists sleeping on the streets of mountain villages after the disaster.
The tremor was felt as far away as Spain and Portugal, but much of the rest of Morocco was unaffected. There was only minor damage to buildings in the popular resort towns of Agadir and Essaouira.
casablanca, tangier The northern capital, Rabat, also escaped major damage from the earthquake.
Is it safe to travel to Morocco now?
On Saturday, September 9, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) issued an advisory to travelers, but did not warn against visiting Morocco or Marrakech. That advice hasn’t changed since then.
“On Friday, September 8, 2023, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Morocco near Marrakech. Further aftershocks are possible. Please follow the advice of local authorities and follow local media.”
The USGS said “smaller aftershocks” below those that can be detected and reported in the region are likely to be felt in the coming weeks.
SETO Group, which represents 70 major French travel and tour companies, said on Saturday that it was not aware of any customers suffering damage from the Marrakech earthquake.
Are planes still taking off and landing at Marrakech Airport?
Despite the earthquake’s damage to the city, flights to Marrakech airport continued to operate in the immediate aftermath, with airlines closely monitoring the situation.
EasyJet and British Airways on Saturday added larger aircraft to their flights to London to add capacity to accommodate passengers wanting to get home early.
Some airlines offer customers the opportunity to reschedule their travel. British Airways has announced that passengers scheduled to travel to or from Marrakech by September 24 can change their dates free of charge if they wish. If there is space, we can also accommodate tourists who want to return home early.
Air France also offered customers planning flights to or from Morocco “in the next few days” the opportunity to change or postpone their flights free of charge. All of the airline’s services to and from Marrakech, Casablanca and Rabat are operating normally.
TUI and easyJet also said their schedules were operating as normal. Airlines urged customers to follow the advice of authorities and check flight status before traveling.
EasyJet says: “If you are planning to travel to or from Morocco in the next few days and would like to discuss your booking, please contact our customer service team.”
everything else major airport We are currently operating as usual in Morocco.
Are hotels in Morocco still open?
Most hotels remain open, with the exception of those in the hardest-hit areas of the Atlas Mountains that are unable to accommodate guests.
For example, Kasbah Tamadot – luxury hotel It is owned by Sir Richard Branson and is currently closed to assess the impact of the damage. Guests who are unable to stay will be offered alternative options at other Virgin Limited properties and bookings will not be accepted until November 2023.
“Our primary concern at this time is to ensure the safety and well-being of our team, their families, guests, and community,” the hotel said in a statement on its website.
“As always, our community remains a very important part of the Kasbah Tamadot family, and even though many people have lost their homes, our teams continue to support local villages. We continue to deliver water and food.”
If you’re booking a stay in the Atlas Mountains in the coming weeks or months, it may be worth checking with your travel agent to see if your accommodation is still open to visitors.
What if I cancel my trip to Morocco?
travel to destination humanitarian crisis This can place an extra burden on resources. Because of this, travelers may be considering canceling their vacation or leaving Morocco early.
Flights are operating as usual, but some airlines, such as British Airways and EasyJet, are giving customers the opportunity to discuss their reservations with their customer service teams. This may allow you to rebook, postpone, or even change your destination.
If you’re booking a trip to Marrakech or the Atlas Mountains in the coming weeks, accommodation and tours may also be an issue.
The UK Foreign Office’s advice stops short of warning against visiting the area, telling travelers to “contact your accommodation or tour operator before departure to confirm arrangements in case of disruption or damage caused by an earthquake. ” he advises.
It is best to contact your travel agent or tour operator as they will likely be more flexible with postponing or rebooking your holiday.
However, if you are booking travel outside of the affected areas, you should check with the company you are planning your trip to. The service is operating as usual and is unlikely to offer the same flexibility as it may become unavailable if you cancel. Please give me my money back.