RABAT: As the death toll of devasting earthquake in Morocco has climbed to 2,122, the government has intensified its efforts to find survivors in the affected areas, Western media reported on Sunday.
According to official figures at least 2,122 people have been killed while 2,400 are wounded many seriously in the deadly earthquake.
Meanwhile the first foreign rescue team has arrived in Morocco to assist the local authorities in rescue and relief operations.
6.8 Earthquake hits Morocco
A massive earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck southwest of the tourist hub of Marrakesh on Friday, completely destroying the entire village in the Atlas Mountains.
The mountain village of Tafeghaghte, was almost wiped out with a very few structures still standing.
Civilian rescuers and members of Morocco’s armed forces are searching for survivors and the bodies of the dead from the debris.
Zahra Benbrik an earthquake victim told media that her heart was broken as everyone from her family is gone. Most of the houses in earthquake hit villages have been destroyed as they were built from mud bricks.
Read Also: Rescue Efforts Underway After Morocco’s Strongest Recorded Earthquake
Authorities have said that in two villages located in Al-Haouz province, the epicenter of the quake, 1,351 people have been killed so far.
Moroccan public television has reported that more than 18,000 families have been affected by the earth quake in Al-Haouz.
According to Spain’s defence ministry an A400 airlifter from Zaragoza with 56 rescuers reached Marrakesh to assist in the search and rescue operations.
Defence Minister Margarita Robles told Spanish media that the country is ready to send all kinds of assistance because first hours are very important for the rescue operations.
Due to the earthquake many residents in Marrakesh have spent their second night sleeping on the streets.
The kingdom has announced three days of national mourning, and prayers were also held for the quake victims on Sunday in all the mosques of the country.
