Earthquake in Al Asnam

Earthquake Strikes Algeria

In the early hours of October 10, 1980, the residents of the city of Al Aṣnām awoke to an ordinary day. The city, surrounded by fertile fields and mountains, was home to thousands of people living their daily lives. No one suspected that within moments, their world would change. An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 on the Richter scale struck the region and turned the peaceful city into ruins.

Within seconds, the ground began to shake with such force that houses fell like a house of cards. People, in panic, ran into the streets, searching for their loved ones and trying to find safety. Many buildings, including those considered solid, collapsed. Rescue teams immediately went to work, but chaos and confusion hindered their efforts. The city was nearly destroyed, and thousands of residents were left homeless.

The aftermath of the earthquake was catastrophic. More than 2,500 people lost their lives, and thousands more were injured. Al Aṣnām, now known as Chlef, had to rebuild itself. The tragedy led to a reevaluation of building codes and increased awareness of earthquake risks in Algeria. The 1980 earthquake remains one of the most tragic moments in the country's history, with its traces still visible today.