Rescue efforts in Morocco have escalated in response to the devastating earthquake, which has tragically claimed over 2,000 lives.
Official figures, updated late Sunday, now confirm at least 2,122 fatalities and over 2,400 injuries, with many in critical condition. Foreign rescuers have been deployed to assist alongside civilian and military teams in the search for survivors and the deceased.
Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the quake.
Taking to X, PM Modi said, “Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time.”
The seismic event occurred at 03:41:01 (UTC+05:30) with a magnitude of 6.8 and a depth of 18.5 km, sending shockwaves from Sidi Ifni in the south to Rabat in the north and beyond. The epicenter was located 72 kilometers west of Marrakesh, a significant economic hub.
The earthquake, one of the strongest ever recorded in North Africa, devastated entire communities on the slopes of the Atlas Mountains, situated 72 kilometers southwest of Marrakesh—a popular tourist destination.
An aftershock of magnitude 4.5 aftershock in the same area was recorded on Sunday. The mountain village of Tafeghaghte, located 60 kilometers from Marrakesh, saw nearly all of its buildings reduced to rubble due to the quake.