• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Trending:
  • Kashmir
  • Elections
Sunday, June 15, 2025

Daily Times

Your right to know

  • HOME
  • Latest
  • Pakistan
    • Balochistan
    • Gilgit Baltistan
    • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
    • Punjab
    • Sindh
  • World
  • Editorials & Opinions
    • Editorials
    • Op-Eds
    • Commentary / Insight
    • Perspectives
    • Cartoons
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Featured
    • Blogs
      • Pakistan
      • World
      • Ramblings
      • Lifestyle
      • Culture
      • Sports
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Arts, Culture & Books
  • Lifestyle
  • E-PAPER
    • Lahore
    • Islamabad
    • Karachi

Marrakesh’s historic Koutoubia Mosque damaged by deadly quake

As the death toll crosses more than 2,000 after an earthquake struck Morocco late on Friday, rescue teams are racing to find survivors trapped in the rubble of mountainous villages and ancient cities not built to withstand such force. The magnitude 6.8 earthquake has killed at least 2,012 people and injured over 2,059, many of them critically, according to the latest official figures. The quake struck 72 kilometres south-west of the historic city of Marrakesh, wiping out entire villages in rural areas

In Marrakesh, people could be seen on state TV clustering in the streets, afraid to go back inside buildings that might still be unstable. Situated at the foot of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, the 11th-century city of palms and elegant palaces is Morocco’s top tourist attraction, welcoming more than 2 million visitors a year.

Dramatic videos shared on social media showed the famous Koutoubia Mosque shaking as people rushed to safety nearby. Built in the 12th century, the mosque’s 69-metre minaret is popularly known as the “roof of Marrakesh.”

The Koutoubia Mosque looms over the vast Jemaa El Fna square, the beating heart of Marrakesh, which comes alive each night with dancers, storytellers, snake charmers and dozens of food stalls brimming with traditional Moroccan dishes

Authorities said the extent of the damage to the mosque was not immediately clear. Most of the main historic sites in the old city appeared largely unscathed as well.

Eric Falt, the regional director of Unesco, told the online Morocco World News that the damage was “much more significant than expected”. Falt, who conducted a two-hour assessment of the city, said: “After a disaster like this, the most important thing is to preserve human lives. But it is also necessary to immediately plan for the second phase, which will include the reconstruction of schools and cultural assets affected by the earthquake.”

Moroccans also posted videos showing damage to parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city, a Unesco World Heritage site. The collapsed minaret of another mosque was also widely shared.

The city became a huge influence on his work, particularly his use of colour. Saint Laurent, who died in 2008, spent time there every year while designing his collections. In 2017, a museum dedicated to his designs was opened in the city.

Each November, Hollywood stars descend on Marrakesh for its international film festival, with some of the screenings taking place under the stars in Jemaa El Fna.

Sharon Stone, Martin Scorsese, Sigourney Weaver and Robert de Niro are among those to have walked the red carpet in a country that has long been a favourite location for international film shoots. Last month, the Oscar-winning Scorsese announced he was returning to the festival, set to run from November 24 to December 2, as the official patron for the event’s Atlas Workshops. “I am always happy to be returning to my beloved Marrakesh Film Festival. When I haven’t been able to attend in person, I’ve always been there in spirit,” said Scorsese. “For this very special anniversary edition of the festival, I have been entrusted with a precious task: to interact with young filmmakers and help to guide them on their way. I look forward to seeing old friends, and to making new ones.” This year’s Atlas Workshop participants will be known as the Class of Martin Scorsese.

Filed Under: World

Submit a Comment




Primary Sidebar




Latest News

Govt targets Rs20bn from 18% GST on imported solar panels

Iran-Israel conflict escalates: 10 killed in missile strike as tensions reach new peak

Tragedy strikes in Gilgit: groom among six killed as vehicle falls into river

Lawmakers urge tax relief, slam harsh measures in federal budget debate

Sindh CM unveils bold budget plan, slams centre over withheld funds and project cuts

Pakistan

Govt targets Rs20bn from 18% GST on imported solar panels

Tragedy strikes in Gilgit: groom among six killed as vehicle falls into river

Lawmakers urge tax relief, slam harsh measures in federal budget debate

Sindh CM unveils bold budget plan, slams centre over withheld funds and project cuts

India’s attempt to grey-list Pakistan at FATF falls flat amid global support

More Posts from this Category

Business

CDWP approves 8 mega development projects, 1 forwarded to ECNEC

FBR makes first major ‘Benami Property’ seizure in Islamabad

SBP Faces a Tough Call: Hold or Cut? All eyes on June 16

Zong join hands with Axis Mall & Apartments

Gold up by Rs1,500

More Posts from this Category

World

Iran-Israel conflict escalates: 10 killed in missile strike as tensions reach new peak

India’s attempt to grey-list Pakistan at FATF falls flat amid global support

Germany, France, and UK ready to talk with Iran to ease middle East tensions

More Posts from this Category




Footer

Home
Lead Stories
Latest News
Editor’s Picks

Culture
Life & Style
Featured
Videos

Editorials
OP-EDS
Commentary
Advertise

Cartoons
Letters
Blogs
Privacy Policy

Contact
Company’s Financials
Investor Information
Terms & Conditions

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Youtube

© 2025 Daily Times. All rights reserved.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy