In a release sent to X on Saturday morning, Minister Joly expressed her thoughts to all those affected by the earthquake in Morocco.

She urged all Canadians currently in the North African country to register with Global Affairs Canada. Persons requiring immediate assistance should contact the Emergency Monitoring and Response Center for consular assistance.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the earthquake in Morocco. Canadians there should register with Global Affairs Canada and those needing assistance should contact the Emergency Monitoring and Response Centre: https://t.co/kFsEWhMpuV

— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) September 9, 2023

For its part, Global Affairs Canada said it was working to update the number of Canadians who were in Morocco at the time of the disaster.

This earthquake, of rare intensity in the region, killed more than 1,000 people and injured around 1,200. However, the number of casualties is expected to continue to rise as search and rescue operations continue.

“After the devastating earthquake yesterday (Friday), I feel for the people of Morocco. Canadians extend our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones and think of all those affected. We are ready to help in any way we can,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assured on X on Saturday.

My condolences go out to the people of Morocco after the devastating earthquake that occurred yesterday. Canadians extend our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones and think of all those affected. We are ready to help in any way we can.

– Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 9, 2023

“All my thoughts are with the Moroccan people. Marrakesh, Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Essaouira, all great cities that I have visited,” wrote Prime Minister François Legault on Friday evening on the same social network.

All my thoughts are with the Moroccan people. Marrakech, Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Essaouira, all great cities I visited.

— François Legault (@francoislegault) September 9, 2023

According to the census conducted by the federal government, more than 81,000 Quebec residents identified themselves as Moroccans in 2021. About 37,000 of them lived in Montreal.

“The images reaching us from Morocco after the country was hit by an earthquake are breaking our hearts,” wrote Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante. Tonight (Friday) an entire community is upset. I have a thought for Montreal’s Moroccan population. We are with you.”

Abdelhaq Sari, a Moroccan city councilor in Montreal, also expressed his thoughts to Moroccans in the affected regions.

In a telephone interview with The Canadian Press, he noted that while he was able to ensure his family members were safe, community members had difficulty getting information in rural areas of the country.

“What I know about the tragedy is that in urban areas we can communicate and get information,” he explained. But when we go to rural areas it is very difficult.”

Mr. Sari calls on Canada to come to Morocco’s aid.

“Morocco is a friend of Canada,” he recalled. If we can help, we would be very, very grateful.”

This 6.8 magnitude earthquake is the strongest in this North African country in 120 years.