Spain puts search, rescue teams on pre-alert for quake-hit Morocco

GENEVA

Spain on Saturday put its search and rescue teams on pre-alert for earthquake-hit Morocco, saying the first teams could be deployed in hours if requested.

Spanish Directorate General of Civil Protection and Emergencies "has activated international support mechanisms and put search and rescue teams on pre-alert to be able to give an immediate response in case Morocco requests help," the Interior Ministry said on X/Twitter.

"The first Spanish teams could be deployed within hours," the ministry added.

A strong earthquake struck central Morocco just after 11. p.m. local time (2211 GMT) on Friday, killing at least 1,037 people and injuring 721, according to the country's Interior Ministry.