Death toll from Morocco earthquake tops 2,900

By Anadolu staff

RABAT, Morocco (AA) – The death toll from a powerful earthquake in Morocco has jumped to 2,901 people, the country’s Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the ministry said 5,530 other people were injured in the magnitude 7 earthquake that jolted the North African country late Friday.

The quake was the strongest to hit the North African country in a century, according to Morocco’s National Geophysical Institute.

The earthquake has caused massive damage in the ancient city of Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On Tuesday, search and rescue teams continued their efforts for the fifth consecutive day to recover people and bodies trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings in areas hard hit by the quake.

According to an Anadolu reporter, rescuers were able to pull out several people from under the rubble in central Morocco.

The reporter said several public initiatives were launched to support the affected people and provide them with relief materials.

On Sunday, the Moroccan government announced the establishment of special bank accounts to collect donations from citizens and local businesses for providing assistance to the affected people.

Morocco has so far accepted offers of assistance and rescue teams from Spain, the UK, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar and Mahmoud Barakat