IRCS: Iran ready to send relief teams to quake-hit Morocco

The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) says it is ready to dispatch medical and relief teams to assist with the humanitarian operation in Morocco, struck by a powerful earthquake.

The IRCS President Pirhossein Kolivand made the remark in a Saturday message to Kaddour Kharbouch, Vice-President of Moroccan Red Crescent Society.

Morocco's Interior Ministry said on Saturday that at least 1,037 people had been killed and another 672 injured by the powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Friday night.

It said the earthquake killed people in the provinces and municipalities of al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake shook Morocco’s High Atlas mountain range shortly after 11 p.m. local time on Friday at the relatively shallow depth of 18.5 kilometers with the epicenter located about 72 kilometers southwest of Marrakech, a city of some 840,000 people and a popular tourist destination.

Morocco's deadliest quake in more than six decades toppled houses in remote mountain villages and damaged historic buildings in Marrakech. Search and rescue operations are underway in the quake-stricken areas.

In his message, Kolivand extended his condolences to his Moroccan counterpart and the people affected by the quake. He expressed his sympathy with the bereaved.

The IRCS presents its compliments to the vice-president of Moroccan Red Crescent Society and all the body's esteemed staff and volunteers, he said.

The IRCS president wished success for Kharbouch and his colleagues in the humanitarian endeavors.

SS