Morocco earthquake death toll crosses 2,500; rescue workers hunt for survivors

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Morocco is reeling from the daily increase in the number of dead from the powerful earthquake that hit the country’s Atlas Mountains region on Friday. The death toll has crossed 2,500 with 2,476 injured.

As per data available on September 11, the disaster had killed 1,452 people in Al Houz region, 764 in Taroudant, 202 in Chichaoua, 41 in Ouarzazate, 18 in Marrakech, 11 in Azilal, five in Agadir, three in Casablanca province, and one person in Youssoufia province.

The epicentre of the earthquake was located in Al Haouz province in the High Atlas mountains. According to the Moroccan government, it registered 7.2 on the Richter scale while, the US Geological Survey measured it at 6.8. The quake struck at a depth of nearly 18 kilometres.

The September 8 earthquake is the deadliest to hit Morocco in more than 60 years, and the strongest in magnitude on its land territory in more than a century.

The previous such earthquake to hit Morocco occurred in 1960 which had measured 5.8 on the Richter scale with its epicenter in Adagir. It had left 12,000 dead and 25,000 injured.

Earthquake rescue efforts hampered by terrain

The worst destruction has been in the mountain areas, which are difficult to access for rescue workers. Reports say that villages have been badly damaged but rescuers were unable to retrieve bodies from the rubble.

The CNN quoted a Morocco government official stating, “The rescue efforts are ongoing to reach the difficult areas. The earthquake struck mountainous areas that are scattered geographically and it’s difficult to reach these areas in some cases.”

France announced that it will give EUR5m to local and international NGOs operating in Morocco to aid earthquake response efforts, as per the French foreign ministry. Four French citizens were confirmed to have been killed in the earthquake, with a further 15 injured. Meanwhile, Spain said that Morocco had officially requested its aid and that it has sent 56 Spanish rescue personnel to help in rescue efforts.

The UK government announced that it has sent 60 emergency relief officials, four search dogs and rescue equipment to Morocco to support the efforts. The team arrived in the country on Monday, the British Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCO) said in a statement on Sunday.

The UK International Search and Rescue team uses specialist equipment including seismic listening devices, and concrete cutting and breaking tools, to help lift people from under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Additionally, the Red Cross Society of China said it will send $200,000 in emergency humanitarian cash assistance to the Moroccan Red Crescent.