Spain’s King Felipe VI Offers Condolences to Morocco After Deadly Earthquake

In his message dated September 9, Felipe VI addressed his "dear brother" Mohammed VI and expressed his closeness to the "dear Moroccan people" for the "violent earthquake" that caused "a very high number of deaths and injuries." The King of Spain, "in his name, in the name of the government and in the name of the Spanish people," also expressed his "deep sympathy," his "most sincere solidarity" and his "support" as well as his "proximity to the families of the victims in this time of mourning and uncertainty."

Earlier in the morning, the head of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, also expressed in a message on X (formerly Twitter) his "solidarity" and "support for the Moroccan people" following the earthquake. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the president of the Partido Popular (PP), the opposition party, used the same channel to express his "support and solidarity" with Morocco.

Several European heads of state have also conveyed their condolences to Morocco struck by this tragedy. U.S. President Joe Biden said he was "deeply saddened" and willing to "offer all necessary assistance to the Moroccan people." "The United States stands with King Mohammed VI in these difficult times," says a White House statement. "We are all devastated after the terrible earthquake in Morocco," French President Emmanuel Macron said, stressing that his country "is ready to contribute to the first aid."

"My thoughts go to the victims and all those affected by this natural disaster," reacted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his "sincere condolences" to the "friendly Moroccan people." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, also expressed their closeness to the families of the victims and the injured.