'There is a lot of fear, a lot of panic': Irish doctor speaks from earthquake-hit Morocco
Photo) Take An Shelter 2023 Marrakech, Friday, Earthquake In 8, (ap After Sept People Morocco,
An Irish doctor has told how things flew off shelves before she and her daughters fled barefoot outdoors during Friday night’s 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Morocco.
Claire McCaughey, who has lived in the country for 15 years, said her house was hit by a “violent shaking” from the country's deadliest quake in more than six decades.
The historic old city, where Dr McCaughey lives, suffered extensive damage.
Damage has also been recorded in Agadir, the southern Atlantic coastal city in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains popular with Irish tourists, despite being 250 km from the epicentre.
Luckily for her, Dr McCaughey and her family have so far escaped the worst effects of the earthquake on Marrakech.
She said: "It was a violent shaking of the whole house - things falling off shelves, falling off walls.
“I had to wake the girls up and just kind of run outside in our nightwear, in our bare feet.”
She said her family spent Saturday night outside, "like much of the country".
She added: "For us here in the city where the damage has been less extreme, there is a lot of fear, a lot of panic.
“That's the talk: 'Will there be more, can we sleep in our beds tonight? What comes next for us?’.
"There is devastation in the mountain areas.
"Those (affected) are starting to make their way to the city.”
Dr McCaughey, from Bangor, Northern Ireland, told BBC News NI, the private hospital where she works in Marrakech is gearing up to deal with survivors.
"The hospital system here is chronically underfunded and overused,” she said.
“There's difficulties with the public hospitals here on the best of days.
"Response to crisis is something that I have seen happen here on more than one occasion.
"We will have a lot of work; we will get exhausted. We'll do what we have to do."
The Co Down-based K9 Search and Rescue NI rescue team has offered its services to the Moroccan government and is on standby to be called in to help.
Meanwhile, the Irish Travel Agents Association CEO Clare Dunne has issued advice for Irish travellers in the stricken country.
She said: “If you are in an affected area, we advise you to monitor local news reports and follow any advice or instructions issued by the local authorities, your accommodation provider or local tour operator staff on the ground.
“Alternatively contact your tour operator or the travel agent you booked your holiday with for assistance.
“If possible, keep your mobile phone charged and turn it onto roaming to receive alerts from local authorities.
“The local airport remains open and flights continue to operate. Irish tour operators on the ground in Marrakesh are reporting that holiday makers in the area are safe.”
She added: “The ITAA is deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of life and devastation this has caused and our deepest sympathies go out to all those affected.
“We are especially thinking of our colleagues, partners and agents in Morocco who have lost family and friends.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was closely monitoring the situation in Morocco.
"All Irish citizens in the affected areas are asked to follow safety instructions from local authorities and monitor local media," it said.
Irish citizens who have been affected can contact the Embassy in Rabat at +212 666 933 599 or by email at Rabatembassyexternalmail@dfa.ie.
They can also contact the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin at +353 1 408 2000 or their travel agent.