Morocco Travel Alert: Belgians Warned of Earthquake Risks and Coastal Dangers

The Belgian Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation calls on travelers to be vigilant due to certain natural risks and climatic variations in some regions of the kingdom. Although Morocco is rarely confronted with major natural disasters, it occasionally experiences earthquakes in mountainous areas, particularly along the faults of the Rif region in the north and the Atlas mountain range, the Belgian authorities specify. On September 8, 2023, an earthquake of magnitude 6.8 followed by a strong aftershock struck the High Atlas mountain range in Morocco, near Marrakech, in the province of Al Haouz. According to the Moroccan authorities, the toll stands at 2,946 dead and 6,125 injured.

The earthquake affected around 660,000 people, leaving 380,000 people permanently or temporarily homeless, with more than 59,000 homes destroyed or damaged. In order not to be victims of such a disaster, the Belgian embassy has urged travelers to follow the instructions of the local authorities, to follow the news through the local media, as well as to stay in contact with the travel agencies or hotels where they are staying. It also reported that the coastal areas are sometimes the scene of powerful sea currents making swimming dangerous, even on beaches with lifeguard services, with cases of drowning being regularly recorded there.

It also stressed the need for tourists to be cautious when near water. The embassy emphasizes the importance of preparing for extreme temperatures and drought during the summer months in the desert areas of the south and east. It recommends consulting the weather forecast before going there. According to it, heavy seasonal rains can cause flooding and landslides in several regions, causing serious damage to roads and bridges, endangering the safety of residents and visitors. Furthermore, it warns against traveling near wadis and rivers, which can be dry during droughts but turn into dangerous passages during rains.

In the event of a disaster or emergency event occurring during a stay in Morocco, the Belgian authorities advise travelers to inform their loved ones in Belgium as soon as possible, while recalling that they can contact the Belgian embassy in Rabat or the honorary consulates in Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir and Tanger. The civil protection and Royal Gendarmerie teams are carrying out rescue operations and securing the affected areas, calling on everyone to follow the instructions and not to try to cross the security barriers, the embassy said.