Morocco earthquake claims over 2,000 lives, three-day national mourning declared

By: TP News Date: 9/10/2023 10:35:30 AM

Morocco:

Morocco’s deadliest earthquake in over six decades claimed more than 2,000 lives and left nearly the same number injured, according to the Interior Ministry.

An earthquake of magnitude 6.8 with an epicentre some 72 km southwest of Marrakech struck Morocco late Friday night, felling buildings including a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The earthquake survivors spent the Saturday night in a huddle in the open on the High Atlas Mountains.

The historic old city of Marrakech also suffered severe damage and people were kept searching for survivors buried under the debris of fallen structures.

According to the Ministry, 2,012 people were killed and 2,059 injured, including 1,404 who are in critical condition.

In the village of Amizmiz near the epicentre, the search and rescue team picked up the debris with their hands as the fallen masonry blocked the way in to narrow streets. Nearly 10 bodies were seen lying under the blankets outside a hospital as the relatives grieved beside them.