Up to 2,012 people have been killed and hundreds others critically injured, according to Moroccan authorities, with the toll expected to rise further as rescuers dig through the rubble of collapsed buildings in remote areas of the High Atlas mountains.
In the latest updates, Morocco's Interior Ministry indicates that 2,012 people have been killed and 2,059 others injured in Friday’s devastating earthquake, with 1,404 in critical condition.
Friday’s 6.8-magnitude quake, reported to be Morocco’s strongest on record, wiped out entire villages in rural areas.
Experts say the magnitude 6.8 earthquake did not hit the most active seismological region, but more aftershocks can be expected.
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The earthquake’s epicentre, according to reports, was the Ighil area, a mountainous rural commune home to small farming villages in the al-Haouz province near the ski resort of Oukaimeden in the Atlas Mountains. The area was not known for being active in terms of earthquakes. The
epicentre was 75 kilometres from Marrakesh, Morocco’s fourth largest city. The city’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is reported to be particularly affected with images emerging of collapsed buildings.
President Paul Kagame on Saturday, September 9, joined world leaders in expressing condolences and support for Morocco after a devastating earthquake struck the country.
An official at the Rwandan embassy in Rabat on Saturday told The New Times that all Rwandans in the country are safe.
In a post on X, Kagame said: "On behalf of all Rwandans, I express our deepest sympathy and solidarity with King Mohammed VI, the families of the victims and the people of Morocco in this moment of profound tragedy.
"Rwanda stands with Morocco in this difficult time."
Morocco is observing three days of mourning.
Leading world bodies have expressed condolences and offered their support for Morocco.
The secretary-general of the Jeddah-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Hissein Brahim Taha, prayed for "mercy on the victims and a speedy recovery for the injured”.
World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the quake as "heartbreaking”, adding, "We stand ready to support the immediate health needs.”
UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said he was "deeply saddened” by news of the quake, saying, "Our thoughts are with the thousands of families affected. We stand ready to support.”