ALBAWABA A serene village nestled in the picturesque Atlas Mountains of Morocco found itself reduced to ruins after a devastating earthquake struck on a fateful Friday night.
The aftermath revealed a harrowing scene, with nearly the entire village leveled, leaving only two structures defiantly standing amidst the rubble. One of these structures, a symbol of faith and community, was the village mosque.
The earthquake, as reported by the Moroccan Scientific and Technical Research Center (or measured at 6.8 on the Richter scale by the United States Geological Survey), registered a staggering magnitude of 7.
The human toll of the earthquake was devastating. In a preliminary and tentative assessment, the disaster claimed the lives of 2,012 people and left 2,059 individuals injured, with 1,404 of them in critical condition.
The footage showcased the historic Koutoubia Mosque's minaret trembling as the earth beneath it shook. This iconic mosque, located in the enchanting city of Marrakech, holds a special place in Morocco's rich cultural and architectural heritage.
The Koutoubia Mosque, often referred to as the "Mosque of the Booksellers," stands as a testament to the architectural marvels of its time. It is renowned for its stunning minaret, which is one of the most prominent features of the entire mosque complex.
The mosque itself was commissioned by the Almohad Caliph Abd al-Mu'min ibn Ali al-Kumi (1163-1130) and completed during the reign of his son, al-Mansur (1184-1199).
