THE huge earthquake which hit Morocco has killed more than 2,000 people and injured at least another 2,000, many of them critically, the interior ministry said yesterday.

At least 2,012 people are confirmed dead, while 2,059 were injured, including 1,404 in a critical condition, a ministry statement said.

Of that number, 1,293 dead were recorded in the province of Al-Haouz, the epicentre of the earthquake, and 452 in Taroudant province, the two worst-hit areas.

The authorities were still mobilising to step up rescue operations and to evacuate the injured, the ministry statement added.

The 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck late on Friday, in a mountainous area 72km southwest of the tourist city of Marrakesh, the US Geological Survey reported.

The deadliest quake in Morocco for decades, the authorities have declared three days of national mourning, as rescue teams continue the search for survivors. – AFP, September 10, 2023.