What Was the Deadliest Earthquake in 1960?

Many people know about the massive Chilean earthquake in 1960. Although the Chilean earthquake was the largest one of the 20th century registering 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale, it was not the deadliest earthquake of either the 20th century or 1960.

The Chilean earthquake was the biggest earthquake, but it was not the deadliest. As many as 6000 lives were lost, but yet another earthquake that year claimed the lives of at least 6000 more.

On February 29, a day that only comes once every four years but will be remembered in history forever, an extremely deathly earthquake hit Agadir, Morocco. Twelve thousand individuals lost their lives due to that natural disaster. The destruction was massive and the 12,000 people who died were about a third of their entire population. Obviously, Agadir was in ruins-both physical and emotional.

Agadir Earthquake of 1960

Earthquake Strike Details

It should have been a happy time for the Moroccan people, as they were celebrating the third night of Ramadan. Little did they know that tragedy would soon strike. In addition to the slaughter of one third of their nation's population, yet another third would be injured by the blows. Slight earthquakes had been felt all week, and a relatively larger shock had been felt earlier in the day. However, the real monster had yet to come.

At 11:41 PM, it came. It lasted for only 15 seconds, but it can assumed that it felt like an eternity to those who were there. Massive buildings in Yachech, Founti, Talborjt, and Kasbah crumbled to the ground. Innocent people were trapped underneath the rubble from these buildings. Yachech and Kasbah lost about 95% of their population.

Citizens were killed, as were the many tourists who were staying in the hotels which also fell to the ground. So many of these people were killed immediately, and yet others were trapped underneath the debris for days. Many of these people would soon die as well after suffering and panicking for days beneath the rubble.

Rescue Efforts

Within one hour of the strike, French sailors and marines at the Agadir Naval Base were on their way to provide as much aid and relief as they possibly could. Moroccan soldiers and the French military arrived on the scene. Individuals from American military bases in Morocco and Germany, those from Spain, and Prince Moulay Hassan all assisted greatly in the rescue efforts for this country. Unfortunately, so many people were still fated to perish in this earthquake.

Others came to the aid of Agadir during this perilious time. However, by March 4th, five days after the tragedy, the rescue efforts started to turn into prevention of disease and protection for those who were still alive. They concentrated their efforts on trying to provide clean and healthy conditions for the surviving individuals. Some rescue efforts did continue, of course. People were pulled out alive from beneath the rubble for as many as ten days.

It is difficult to get exact death counts when such a tragedy occurs. Estimates say that at least 12,000 perished in this earthquake. However, they know that there were just some bodies that were never found beneath all of the rubble. Therefore, the exact death toll will never be known.