Death toll from devastating Morocco earthquake rises to 2,012

WORLD, Sept. 10 (YPA) – The death toll in the deadly earthquake in Morocco has crossed 2,012 while authorities report that another 2029 have been injured, Morocco’s Ministry of the Interior said in a statement.

According to the statement, the earthquake caused 694 deaths in the province of Al Haouz, 347 in the province of Taroudant, 191 in the province of Chichaoua, 39 in the province of Ouarzazate, 14 in the prefecture of Marrakech.

The provinces of Azilal, Agadir, Casablanca and Tinghir, for their part, recorded no new deaths until 7 p.m. on Saturday September 9, the statement read.

Local authorities, security services and civil protection, deployed in all provinces and regions of the Kingdom concerned, are all mobilized to intervene and provide the necessary assistance. At the same time, an operation to transport aid to areas affected by the earthquake was also launched.

A magnitude-6.8 earthquake hit Morocco on Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time at a depth of 18.5 kilometers, said the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, some 70 km southwest of Marrakesh.

Medical sources and Morocco’s civil defense said the death toll is likely to rise as rescue operations continue.

E.M