The interior ministry of Morocco has officially confirmed a devastating toll in the aftermath of the country’s most powerful earthquake; the ministry revised the death count, revealing that at least 2,862 lives have been tragically lost.
This figure marks a grim increase from the earlier estimate, which had initially placed the death toll at nearly 2,700. The earthquake has profoundly impacted the nation, casting a sombre shadow.
The ministry reported that 2,562 individuals had injuries, further intensifying the crisis. In the wake of this devastating event, rescue teams are in a frantic race against time, desperately striving to locate survivors amidst the wreckage.
The earthquake, measuring a magnitude 6.8, occurred around 11:11 pm (22:11 GMT) on Sunday at a depth of approximately 26km (16 miles), as confirmed by the US Geological Survey. Initially, the depth was reported at approximately 18km before being revised.
In the aftermath of the country’s deadliest earthquake in over 60 years, authorities have announced a three-day period of national mourning. The catastrophe has left many citizens homeless, further underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The province of Al Haouz bore the brunt of the devastation, with Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant provinces also experiencing severe impacts from the earthquake.
The most vulnerable areas are the remote villages, which have suffered significant damage. Rescue teams are grappling with considerable challenges in reaching these isolated communities, further complicating the response to this disaster.
