Brazil Olympic team, currently in Morocco, have expressed their shock at witnessing the devastating tremor in the African country.
The Brazilian team were getting ready for their second friendly match against the under-23 team of Morocco before the earthquake happened.
The team witnessed a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7 on the Richter scale that occurred in Morocco on Friday night, September 8.
They have traveled to the country to partake in two friendly matches against the country’s U-23 team.
The first match, which took place on September 7th, resulted in a 1-0 victory for Morocco while the second game is scheduled to take place on Monday, September 11th.
Presently, the South American team are safely staying in Fez, which is over 700 kilometers away from the epicenter of the earthquake.
According to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), the players and coaching staff witnessed the earthquake that started on Friday night.
And due to safety concerns, they remained near the hotel pool for approximately an hour before returning to their respective rooms.
Brazilian star, Paulinho, provided additional information about the tremor that took place in Morocco.
Paulinho explained: “I was lying down when I suddenly felt the bed shaking.” I woke up feeling scared, and when I looked at the lamp, I noticed that it was swinging.”
“I exited the room and searched for a place of safety. We received excellent treatment and guidance, so as a precaution, we decided to head to the pool area. I am grateful that we are out of danger.”
Paulinho and CBF sympathize with Morocco
Paulinho showed his support for Brazil by joining the rest of the players and coaching staff of the country’s Olympic team as they expressed their sympathy and support for the country.
He stated: ‘”Regrettably, we are already aware of the number of casualties.”
“This is a very serious matter, and we want to express our solidarity with the Moroccan people and those involved in the search for these individuals.”
Latest on Morocco earthquake
On Friday night, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Marrakesh and several surrounding towns.
Reports indicate that entire villages in remote mountain areas have been flattened.
According to official figures released early on Saturday afternoon, the death toll from the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Morocco has risen to 1,037.
As it stands, recent reports reveal the death toll from the devastating earthquake in Morocco has risen to over 2,000, with a comparable number of individuals injured.
According to the interior ministry of the country, over 1,400 individuals have sustained serious injuries, with the highest number of casualties reported in provinces located to the south of Marrakesh.
King Mohammed VI has declared three days of national mourning and has issued orders for the provision of shelter, food, and other necessary assistance to the survivors.
Additionally, as part of the national effort to aid the victims, Moroccans are generously donating blood for the injured.
The Friday earthquake in Morocco was the most deadly since the devastating 6.7-magnitude quake in Agadir in 1960 that claimed the lives of over 12,000 people.
