WORLD NEWS

 

February 24, 2004

 

Earthquake Hits Morocco

 

A powerful Moroccan earthquake destroys entire villages and leaves at least 300 dead

 

A major earthquake struck the northern African country of Morocco early Tuesday morning. At least 300 people were killed and 600 are injured.

 

The quake shook Morocco’s northern Mediterranean region, a rural area where people depend on fishing and farming and live in mud and stone homes. These homes were no match for the violent quake. "Houses collapsed. It was a very, very violent jolt," said a doctor at a hospital in the city of Al Hoceima, where many are being treated. Some villages were completely destroyed. Thousands of people were left homeless.

 

The quake registered 6.5 on the Richter scale. The Richter scale is a system that measures the strength of earthquakes. The quake's epicenter was about 100 miles northeast of the capital city, Fez. The deadliest quake to ever strike the area killed 12,000 people in 1960.

 

Rescue Efforts

 

Rescue workers are having a difficult time reaching survivors because of damage the earthquake caused to village roads. More than 200 relief workers from the Moroccan Red Crescent are helping the injured and helicopters are flying in food and medicine.

 

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/news/story/0,6260,594247,00.html