Death toll in Morocco earthquake rises over 2,000

September 09, 2023 10:09 PM

At least 2,012 people were killed in the devastating earthquake that struck western Morocco government officials said Saturday, and there is the potential for that number to rise even higher.

The 6.8-magnitude quake, the most powerful to strike Morocco in 120 years, collapsed homes and decimated ancient structures in the North African country late Friday. Early reports suggested that around 1,000 people had been killed, but those numbers were updated Saturday by Moroccan officials, according to reporting from CNN.

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The epicenter of the earthquake lies in the Atlas Mountains about 45 miles south of Marrakech, a popular tourist destination. Entire villages were destroyed, and rescuers are having a difficult time reaching some of the affected areas because rubble is blocking key roads. The temblor reportedly caused damage to buildings in Marrakech’s Old City, as well as to its historic walls. In the immediate aftermath, many people were reportedly trapped in their collapsed homes or in cars buried underneath debris.

Aside from the dead, at least 2,059 more people were injured, 1,404 critically, according to Morocco’s Interior Ministry, as reported by the Associated Press.

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King Mohammed VI mobilized the Moroccan armed forces to deal with the catastrophe and set up an emergency commission to distribute aid.

A number of world leaders, including President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, offered their condolences Saturday.

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