Photo courtesy of Al Jazeera
The aftermath of a powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Morocco on Friday night has seen the death toll climb to a staggering 820, according to the country’s Interior Ministry.
This update marks the second upward adjustment of the death count and underscores the challenges faced by authorities in reaching remote and rural areas profoundly impacted by the disaster.
Additionally, the number of injuries has surged to 672, with 205 individuals categorized as having sustained severe injuries.
Numerous online videos depict buildings reduced to ruins and dust, including in the historically rich city of Marrakech.
The U.S. Geological Survey pinpointed the epicenter in the Moroccan High Atlas mountain range, approximately 46 miles southeast of Marrakech.
Expressing condolences, the U.S. embassy in Morocco noted that it had no information regarding any U.S. citizens affected by the catastrophe.
The Moroccan Red Crescent acted swiftly, extending its assistance to survivors by providing critical first aid to the hundreds who were injured.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the Middle East and North Africa announced its readiness to provide support via X, the social network formerly known as Twitter, and shared images of its medical personnel treating a patient on a stretcher and a severely damaged structure. (Source: Online/AI/MNM)
