In February 1960 the city of Agadir, population then 35,000, was severely damaged
by an earthquake. One third of the people perished, and another third were injured. The total direct loss of property has been estimated, roughly, at 60% of the value of all property (other than land) within the city at the time of the earthquake. Indirect losses are unassessed. The great damage to property, and-the high loss of life, are attributable primarily to the weakness of the particular brittle masonry constructions of old and new buildings, and the chance occurrence of a moderate earthquake (M=5.75) at shallow depth immediately beneath the northern and older part of the city.