A Moroccan student living in Athlone has spoken of his upset after an earthquake devastated parts of his native country.
Reda Jouibi from Agadir, is a PHD student of Cyber Security in TUS Athlone.
He received a phone call from his brother late on Friday night.
"I was just finishing work and I got a phone call from my little brother. He usually doesn't ring me at that time so I picked up the phone quickly. He was so scared. I've never heard him that scared.
"I said what's wrong, what wrong and he explained there had been a massive earthquake and I stayed on the phone to him, over and back all night to make sure all my family were safe."
While Agadir did not bear the brunt of the devastation, the tremors from the earthquake were felt. Buildings and homes were destroyed and being so far away from home is hard for Reda.
"It was shocking stuff because you don't know what your family are going through and you can't be there to help them.
"It was devastating but my friends here were supportive and the college here is being supportive."
The PHD student says his brother is at home helping with the relief effort and while he feels helpless here - he is proud of the efforts being made by people in Morocco.
"They're providing blankets, food, water for people in need. I'm so proud of what they are all doing to try help people."
Reda Jouibi is hoping the death toll will not rise any further and people living in Morocco can recover from this devastating quake.
"I mean there's quite a bit of distance between Morocco and Ireland but my heart is always with my country and it's still my country and I feel so sad about everything that happened".
