Morocco earthquake: Death toll crosses 2000

Sep 10: The death toll from a powerful earthquake in Morocco has soared to more than 2,000, with a similar number of injured.

The deadly earthquake, which killed thousands, struck at 23:11 local time on Friday damaging buildings in major cities and sending panicked people pouring into the streets.

The interior ministry says more than 1,400 people have serious injuries, and the heaviest casualties are in provinces just south of Marrakesh.

The earthquake of magnitude 6.8 which has hit central Morocco is the biggest the area has seen since before 1900.

Local television stations broadcast pictures of a fallen mosque minaret, with rubble lying on smashed cars. Others were seen screaming as they ran out of shopping centres and restaurants.

Officials are working to clear roads so ambulances and aid can reach those affected - but large distances between mountain villages and the damaged roads have made it difficult for the rescuer workers to reach the villages.

Rescuers are also scrambling to find survivors under the rubble caused by the devastation.

Fearing aftershocks, many Moroccans have opted to stay outdoors for a second night, sleeping on the streets.

BBC correspondent Nick Beake reports that in one remote community, an elderly woman was wailing after 18 bodies had been recovered in a single place.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre was in the High Atlas Mountains - 44 miles (71km) southwest of Marrakech, a popular tourist destination.

The USGS added that it was at a relatively shallow depth of 18.5km.

This is one of Morocco's strongest earthquakes in years - and although they are relatively rare, a 5.8 magnitude tremor in 1960 caused thousands of deaths.

The main tectonic driver is the collision between the plates that carry the European and African continents.

Many of the fatalities are said to be in hard-to-reach areas south of Marrakech.

(BBC)