In the wake of a devastating earthquake that rocked central Morocco, an urgent mission to rescue survivors is in progress as rescue teams sift through the debris of

collapsed structures. The Ministry of Interior has announced the mobilization of all necessary resources to provide assistance to the affected regions.

The powerful earthquake, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, struck central Morocco at 11:11 PM on Friday, sending shockwaves through the High Atlas mountains. The quake's impact extended across the North African nation, affecting cities like Rabat, Casablanca, and Essaouira.

Late Saturday evening, the Ministry of Interior updated the casualty figures, revealing that the earthquake has claimed the lives of 2,012 individuals. The highest number of casualties was reported in Al Haouz province, where 1,293 people lost their lives, followed by Taroudant, with 452 casualties. Additional fatalities were recorded in Ouarzazate, Chichaoua, Azilal, and Youssoufia provinces, as well as in the cities of Marrakech, Agadir, and the Casablanca metropolitan area.

Moreover, at least 2,059 individuals sustained injuries, with 1,404 of them in critical condition.

In the historic city of Marrakech, television broadcasts showed people congregating in the streets, apprehensive about returning to possibly unstable buildings. The renowned Koutoubia Mosque, dating back to the 12th century, sustained damage, though the extent remains unclear. The mosque's iconic 69-meter minaret, often referred to as the "roof of Marrakech," was affected. Videos shared by Moroccans also depicted damage to sections of the famed red walls that encircle the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

As a mark of respect, authorities have declared three days of national mourning. However, the Red Cross has cautioned that the process of rebuilding and repairing the extensive damage may span several years. Photo by alyaoum24, Wikimedia commons.