Death toll surpasses 600 in wake of deadly earthquake in Morocco

Marrakesh, 

Saturday, 9 September, 2023 

McCreadie Andias 

At least 600 people are feared dead following the wake of a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struke the capital Marrakech on Friday night. 

The deadly earthquake has left scores injured with infrastructure damaged amd thousands forced to flee for safety into the streets as rescue operations intensify. 

Morocco’s state television reported the doubling of the death toll Saturday morning from overnight, citing the ministry of the interior.

Residents of Marrakech, the nearest big city to the epicentre, said some buildings collapsed in the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Local television showed images of a fallen mosque minaret with rubble lying on smashed cars.

The earthquake hit shortly after 11pm local time (22:00 GMT) on Friday evening, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The USGS estimates the epicentre of the quake occurred in the Atlas Mountains, some 75km (44 miles) from Marrakesh, the fourth largest city in the country.

The last major earthquake to strike Morocco occurred in 2004, killing more than 600 people.

Report indicate that the earthquake will potentially cause more devastation having struck the mountain regions and in a region of high Poppulation due to the influx of Tourism activities. 

Morocco is yet to call in for International humanitarian support as the United Nations has promised to send in interventions. 

International leaders continue to pour in messages of support for the ill-fated country.