Morocco Earthquake Death Toll Crosses 2,300 With Number Expected to Rise

The death toll from Friday’s 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Morocco has reached 2,012 people with 2,059 injured of whom at least 1,200 are in critical condition.

According to the details, the earthquake was recorded at 6.8 magnitude with an epicenter of around 72 km (45 miles) southwest of Marrakech.

The earthquake damaged historic buildings with most affected areas being around the mountains nearby.

Furthermore, the experts have warned of aftershocks, which are bound of occur and may cause more damage and collapse of buildings already weakened by the earthquake.

The death toll is also expected to rise as rescue operations are still underway with people missing and trapped under rubble of collapsed buildings.

Morocco has declared a three-day mourning period following the deadly earthquake that has left parts of the country in devastation.

Moreover, the leading world bodies have offered to support earthquake-hit Morocco during this difficult time.

The secretary-general of the Jeddah-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Hissein Brahim Taha, prayed for the ‘mercy of the victims and speedy recovery of the injured.’

World Health Organization (WHO) chief, Tedro Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the earthquake as ‘heartbreaking’, adding that “we stand ready to support the immediate health needs.’

Meanwhile, UNESCO, the UN heritage organization, has offered help to draw up an inventory of the damaged national heritage sites along with a repair strategy.

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