Cypriots in Morocco safe, foreign ministry says (Updated)

Two Cypriots in Marrakesh for a conference are safe, the foreign ministry said on Saturday, after the country was hit by a powerful earthquake that left over 1,000 people dead and hundreds injured.

Spokesman for Cyprus’ foreign ministry Theodoros Gotsis told the Cyprus News Agency the embassy in Lisbon was coordinating efforts to bring the two Cypriots home.

Meanwhile, a community of around 20 to 30 Cypriots are safe and no problems have been reported so far, he added.

Earlier, CNA cited sources saying the foreign ministry platform connect2cy linked to the crisis management department, had no registered Cypriots.

There are a number of Cypriots who are permanent residents in Morocco, many of which are married to Moroccan nationals.

Those in Morocco and in need of help can contact the foreign ministry crisis centre at 97775998.

The magnitude 7.2 quake struck in Morocco’s High Atlas mountains late on Friday night. State media said over 1,000 people had been killed and more than 300 injured, citing an updated initial toll from the Interior Ministry.

Morocco’s interior ministry urged calm, saying in a televised statement that the quake had hit the provinces of Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Marrakech, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant.

Cyprus’ foreign ministry said it was profoundly saddened by the devastating earthquake in Morocco. “Our thoughts are with the government and people of Morocco during this difficult time” the ministry posted on social platform X (formerly Twitter).

It expressed sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes for speedy recovery to the injured.