President Museveni has expressed his condolences to King Mohammed VI following a devastating earthquake that killed over 2,000 people in Morrocco on Friday.
“I learnt with sadness the tragic and devastating earthquake that hit our brotherly Kingdom of Morocco on the night of 8th September 2023, killing over 2,000 people and leaving more injured,” Museveni said on Monday.
According to the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, the quake-related death toll is now 2,122 and the number of injured stands at 2,421.
An entire village (Tikht), previously home to at least 100 families, vanished leaving behind a tangle of timbers, chunks of masonry as well as broken plates, shoes and the occasional intricately patterned rug.
“On behalf of the People of Uganda and my behalf, I convey our deepest condolences to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and all Moroccans for the lives lost in the earthquake,” Museveni said, adding:
“Uganda commiserates with you during this tragic time, and we pray for healing for those wounded and devastated. May the Almighty God rest the souls of the deceased in eternal peace!”
Pope Francis, in his condolence message, praised rescuers while France and Spain promised to send in search-and-rescue crews at the behest of Moroccan officials.
“I pray for the injured, for those who have lost their lives, so many of them, and for their relatives,” Pope Francis told crowds in St. Peter’s Square.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco thanked Spain, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates for sending aid, state TV has said in a post on social media site X.