Morocco Earthquake: Death toll exceeds 2000; Over 1500 injured

Following a strong earthquake, the Moroccan authorities said that 2,000 people died and over 1500 had been injured, more than twice the previous estimate, according to AP. Videos depicting destroyed structures and damaged portions of the famed red walls that encircle the old city in medieval Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage site, were posted online by Moroccans. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake, which struck around 11:11 p.m. and caused shaking that lasted several seconds, had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8. The National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network for Morocco recorded it as a 7 on the Richter scale. 19 minutes later, a magnitude 4.9 aftershock was reported by the US agency.

Thousands of people are displaced, injured, and in need of assistance as a result of this massive earthquake. Numerous residents of various regions of the nation are currently homeless or are required to live outdoors as a result of the deterioration of their homes.

The biggest challenge that rescuers are encountering in the current rescue operation in Morocco after the earthquake is getting to rural settlements located in difficult terrain. In the High Atlas, a rough mountain terrain with isolated towns and many collapsed homes, many of them are having trouble getting to villages.