The Government of Gibraltar has today expressed its sympathy and solidarity with the Kingdom and People of Morocco in the wake of the powerful earthquake south of Marrakesh late last night.

The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, said: “The news of the earthquake and, regrettably, the significant loss of life and damage that has occurred as a consequence, is news that will be received by all of us here in Gibraltar with much sadness.

“The Government of Gibraltar, for itself and on behalf of the people of Gibraltar, wishes to convey our thoughts and prayers to our friends and neighbours to the south and, in particular, to our wonderful Moroccan community here at home.

“I regrettably expect that there will be those in our community today who find themselves affected by grief and loss, and I wish to send them both our heartfelt condolences and the help we might be able to offer.

“I have today written to King Mohammed VI, to offer our help to the Kingdom and country of Morocco, and to express our support for all those caught up in this tragedy.”

The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP, has today written to King Mohammed VI to express the heartfelt condolences of the Government and People of Gibraltar to the Kingdom and People of Morocco following last night’s earthquake. The text of the letter is as follows:

It is with great sadness that I write to you this morning, in the tragic context of the earthquake that struck in Oukaïmedene, and the wider Marrakesh region.

On behalf of the people of Gibraltar, I offer our help in addition to our sincerest and heartfelt condolences for all the lives lost in this terrible disaster. We send our thoughts and prayers as work on rescuing as many of those caught up in the earthquake as may be possible, continues.

The strength of our link with your Kingdom is borne of the strength of our own community, a significant component of which, as you know, is of Moroccan descent and origin. We stand ready to provide you with such support as you may require and we are working with those in our own community affected by this tragedy. We are, at this time, working to ascertain whether any Gibraltarians have been caught up in the disaster in order to be able to assist them - we hope to be able to connect with relevant authorities in Morocco who might be able to assist us in identifying those of our citizens affected and ask for your guidance in this regard.

As work continues on rescue and recovery, I will ensure our teams are working in tandem with those of the Kingdom of Morocco and assisting in any way we can, for the good of your people and in the hope of finding and helping our own citizens in Morocco.

You will remain in our hearts and minds over the coming days and weeks.