Marrakech's 'soul of the city' impacted by deadly earthquake, locals say

Once the vibrating heart of Marrakech, today the old medina lays in ruins after the strongest earthquake in over a century hit the Atlas mountains' region, killing over 2,000 people.

In Jemaa El Fna, where folklore dancers and storytellers used to perform, a silent crowd stands facing the Kharbouch Mosque, a treasured place of prayer for the hundreds of traders working at a busy market nearby.

"It goes back to the 17th century or older. It’s so sad to see our city losing its history. Itths the soul of our city," Alhaj Ahmed, a 72-year-old craftsman who closed his shop that was badly damaged in the quake, said to The New Arab.

Locally called the El-Kassabin mosque, the Kharbouch Mosque was once adorned with a tower decorated with white triangles before it almost entirely collapsed in the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the region on Friday night.

The historical building is barely recognisable. One bare stump of bricks sticks out of the rubble as various people try to clean the ruins as saddened locals and avid tourists watch.

Marrakesh has a long heritage since its construction around the year 1070. For many centuries, it was the capital of the Moroccan state and a cultural and economic centre for the Sherifan Kingdom.

Once protecting the city from the colonising troops, the red sandstone walls surrounding the Medina district, a UNESCO World Heritage, were severely damaged by the quake. Long sections show deep cracks, and parts have crumbled.

Inside the medina itself, many of the old buildings are damaged, including traditional shops and Riads.

In the Mellah neighbourhood, one of the oldest Jewish quarters in Morocco, several buildings collapsed entirely, while other buildings are cordoned off due to the risk of collapse as termors continue to strike the area, the latest of which was registered today morning.

Monday morning, a few meters away from Jemaa El Fna, authorities fenced off the Kutubiyya mosque, Marrakech's crown jewel, after cracks appeared on the outside of the 77-meter tower.

During the night of the quake, videos showed the famous mosque violently shaking yet still standing. Now, there are doubts. 

Outside Marrakech, the extent of the quake's impact is still being understood. Images showed the 12th Century Tinmal Mosque in the High Atlas Mountains was also badly damaged.

Over the weekend, Eric Falt, Regional Director of the UNESCO Office in the Maghreb countries, visited the old city of Marrakesh and said, "We must plan immediately for the next stage, which will include restoring schools and cultural buildings".

Meanwhile, cafes and restaurants surrounding the El Fna square have escaped nearly unscathed and continue to serve Moroccan and foreign tourists who decided to stay.