News
Devastating Morocco Earthquake Claims Over 2,800 Lives, Survivors Seek Shelter Under Open Skies.
Devastating Morocco Earthquake Claims Over 2,800 Lives, Survivors Seek Shelter Under Open Skies.
TINMEL, Morocco – In the aftermath of Morocco’s most powerful earthquake in more than a century, residents in ravaged regions found themselves camping outdoors for a fourth consecutive night on Monday. The quake, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, struck late Friday night in the High Atlas Mountains, reducing the region’s traditional mud brick homes to rubble and pushing the death toll to surpass 2,800.
International rescue teams from Spain, Britain, and Qatar have united with Moroccan authorities in a relentless quest to locate survivors amidst the devastation.
Late on Monday, state TV reported the grim news that the death toll had climbed to 2,862, with an additional 2,562 individuals injured. Due to the challenging terrain of the quake-stricken areas, there remains uncertainty regarding the number of people still missing.
Tinmel, a village that bore the brunt of the earthquake’s fury, witnessed the destruction of nearly every residence, rendering its entire population homeless. The scent of death emanates from numerous animals entombed beneath the debris.
Mouhamad Elhasan, 59, recounted the tragic moment when the earthquake struck as his family dined together. His 31-year-old son was struck by a collapsing neighbor’s roof as he fled outside, eventually succumbing to the rubble. Elhasan’s frantic search for his son ended in heartbreak, a painful reminder of the peril that unfolded.
Residents of Tinmel and neighboring villages demonstrated remarkable resilience, pulling survivors from the rubble using their bare hands.
In Tikekhte, where few structures remain standing, 66-year-old Mohamed Ouchen recounted the heroic efforts of residents who rescued 25 people, including his sister, through manual labor. “We were busy rescuing. Because we didn’t have tools, we used our hands,” he said. “Her head was visible, and we kept digging by hand.”
Footage captured in the remote village of Imi N’Tala, filmed by Spanish rescuer Antonio Nogales of the aid group “Bomberos Unidos Sin Fronteras” (United Firefighters Without Borders), depicted men and dogs navigating treacherous terrain strewn with debris.
“The level of destruction is… absolute,” Nogales struggled to articulate the magnitude of the devastation. “Not a single house has remained intact.” Despite the enormity of the damage, rescue teams, accompanied by search dogs, maintained hope of discovering survivors.
The epicenter of the quake, located approximately 72 km (45 miles) southwest of Marrakech, caused damage to historic buildings in the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 12th-century Tinmel Mosque, a site of historical significance, also bore the brunt of the tremor’s force.
However, the more modern areas of Marrakech, including a location near the airport scheduled for IMF and World Bank meetings next month, were mostly unaffected by the disaster.
The Moroccan government intends to proceed with these meetings, expecting over 10,000 attendees.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, with some survivors initially criticizing the slow response. Tent camps began appearing by Monday night, providing shelter to those spending their fourth night outdoors.
The army is reinforcing search-and-rescue teams, supplying essential items like water, food, tents, and blankets. A major road from the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech was congested as relief vehicles and volunteers headed to the hardest-hit areas.
Morocco has received aid from Spain, Britain, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, all sending search-and-rescue specialists and resources. Algeria allocated three planes for rescue personnel and aid transport, while other countries’ relief offers may also be accepted by the Moroccan government in the future
Source: Reuters
News
Great Loss As Family Announces The Painful Passing Iduwini-borne Billionaire Prince, Presley Gere Iyalahga
By: Miracle Palakia
Odimodi, Delta State – The Iyalahga and Diepregha families, Odimodi, Aghoro, and the entire Iduwini Kingdom in Delta and Bayelsa States, breaks silence on the painful loss of their son, Prince Presley Isele Gere Iyalahga, Billionaire businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Preslyn Group of Companies, who passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the age of 48.
Prince Presley was an illustrious son of two distinguished families: His Royal Majesty Gere J. Iyalagha, (Igbedikuru-II), the late Ibenanawei of Iduwini Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, and the late Regent of Iduwini Kingdom (Delta & Bayelsa States), High Chief Diepregha Akpotelemor of Gberigberi-Idumu Quarters, Aghoro-I Community, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The former President of the Iduwini National Youth Council for Peace and Development was a respected businessman and community leader, who’s untimely demise has thrown his family, friends, associates, community, and Kingdom into deep shock and sorrow. He’s survived by his beloved wife, Princess Preye Presley Iyalagha, and six children.
The families made known the development to newsmen on Saturday, August 16th, in a statement jointly signed by Mr. Oroupade Oweibe and George Diepregha for the families and his son, Prince Peremobowei Presley Iyalagha, for the children.
According to the statement, funeral rites will take place on Friday, August 29th, 2025. At 10 a.m., the body will depart Warri via Millar Jetty to his compound in Odimodi for a brief Funeral Service, lying in state, interment.
IduwiniVoice can report that Prince Presley Iyalagha’s passing marks not only the loss of a vibrant Royal entrepreneur but that of a leader in Iduwini Kingdom and Ijaw nation. His memory remains deeply cherished by the lives he touched and all who knew him.
By: Divine Perezide
Congratulatory messages continue to pour in as Warri-borne business tycoon, and Delta Ijaw APC leader, Madam Beauty Warezuwowei makes the list of members recently appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into the reconstituted Governing Council and Board of Trustees of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYREP). Reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to tackling environmental degradation in oil-producing regions, the newly appointed board members include representatives from the Niger Delta, Ogoni Communities, NGOs, and oil-producing states, with the Minister of Environment serving as Chairman of the council.
Read the statement announcing the appointment below:
“STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE
“PRESIDENT TINUBU ANNOUNCES MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR HYREP
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYREP), with the Minister of Environment serving as Chairman of the Council.
“The other members are Loanyie Barituka Victor, who represents the Non-governmental Organisations focused on the environment, Bright Onyebuchi Jacob, and Henry Obiabure, who represent the Niger Delta communities.
“Professor Barinedum Michael Nwibere and Barrister Baride Abdul Gwezia are the representatives of the Ogoni Community on the new Council.
“The nine oil-producing states have two representatives on the Council: Gideon Onyebuwa Melfor and Dr Ibikunle Omotehinse.
“There are four alternative members of the Council, representing Ogoniland and the Niger Delta: Rev. Canon Dr Abraham Olungwe, who was reappointed and Engr. Maeba Power Ekpobari are the alternate members of the Council representing Ogoniland. Joseph Akedesuo and Beauty Warejuowei represent the Niger Delta.
“President Tinubu also reconstituted the HYREP Board of Trustees, with Emmanuel Nwiika Deeyah reappointed chairman.
“Fred Mbombo Igwe and Dr. Fred Barivule Kpakol will represent Ogoni communities and stakeholders on the board. Mrs Dorcas Amos represents the other Niger Delta communities, while Chief Jide Damazio, who was reappointed, represents the NGOs dealing with environmental issues.
“Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
“August 11, 2025”
The appointment of Warejuwowei into the board of the HYREP, an office marking the renewed poise at restoring the badly polluted environments in the Niger Delta and advancin Ogoniland’s remediation efforts, has been applauded by people from across the region, adding that she will surely deliver meaningful contributions towards the successes of the agency and the federal government.
By: Favour Bibaikefie
Commendations pour in from across Africa as renowned Delta State-born peace and development advocate, Comrade (Chief) Mulade Sheriff, has succefully defended his researh for Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in International Relations at the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.
A United Nations Peace Ambassador, environmentalist, human rights activist, sports enthusiast, entrepreneur, educational promoter, and social leader, Dr. Mulade is the National Coordinator of the foremost civil rights organisation, Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), also known as the Africa 4 Peace Centre.
This remarkable academic feat once again demonstrates his unwavering zeal for intellectual excellence, further cementing his reputation as a visionary leader committed to peace, justice, and development, through the instrumentality of the pursuit and acquisition of knowledge.
As he takes this leap from local, state, and national engagements to a more pronounced presence on the international stage, Nigerians can look forward to the far-reaching impact of his knowledge, which promises to translate into global opportunities for the nation and beyond.