All Israelis in Morocco who were not immediately reachable following a devastating earthquake that hit the country were contacted and were safe and sound.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Over 2,000 people were killed, and the toll was expected to rise as rescuers struggled Saturday to reach hard-hit remote areas. The magnitude 6.8 quake, the biggest to hit the North African country in 120 years, sent people fleeing their homes in terror and disbelief late Friday.
Video: Deadly earthquake hits Morocco
An Israeli relief mission comprising IDF troops, Health Ministry officials, and medics from the Magen David Adom rescue service was announced and was expected to arrive in Morocco later on Saturday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his condolences to Moroccan people in a statement. "I pray for them and vow to help as much as needed," the statement said, noting that he had instructed the government agencies to help their counterparts in Morocco.
Kobi Ifrach, who runs the Kulna organization in Morocco that fosters ties between Israel and Arab nations, recalled the moments of horror, saying, "While singing Shabbat songs, the house started swaying from side to side with a strong tremor. We immediately realized it was an earthquake and ran outside in crazy hysteria.
"The ground was still shaking outside. After a few minutes, we realized that this was a different event from what we knew or had been in before. In the street outside, everything was falling down," Ifrach said, adding that he and other Kulna volunteers made sure that the members of the local Jewish community were safe.
He continued, "In the morning, the destruction became clear, dozens of houses collapsed. "Our synagogue, from the outside everything is broken and destroyed and there was no way to get inside, where the ceiling collapsed."
Another Israeli tourist said, "There were a few minutes of chaos, but immediately after the earthquake we gathered in the central square, so the police protected us and later they moved us to another separate square, less full than the city's central square, where all those whose houses were destroyed, or those who are afraid of the second earthquake, went. They stood there dusty, shocked, not knowing what would happen to them, then they sat down on the ground and started eating. That's how it is here, life goes on."
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
