Morocco earthquake updates: Over 2,900 killed in rare, powerful quake

The quake struck Morocco’s High Atlas mountain range near Marrakech.

ByRiley Hoffman, Jon Haworth, Nadine El-Bawab, Meredith Deliso, and Emily Shapiro
Last Updated: September 13, 2023, 4:51 PM EDT

The death toll has continued to climb in the wake of the rare and powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Morocco Friday night.

More than 2,900 people are confirmed dead.

The quake, Morocco's strongest in more than a century, hit the country's High Atlas mountain range near Marrakech.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Sep 09, 2023, 9:23 AM EDT

Death toll reaches 1,037, more than 1,204 others injured

The death toll in the earthquake near Marrakech has reached 1,037, according to the Associated Press. More than 1,204 others are injured, 721 of whom are injured critically.

Rescuers carry a search operation following a powerful earthquake, in Amizmiz, in Morocco, Sept. 9, 2023.
Abdelhak Balhaki/Reuters

Morocco's King Mohammed VI ordered the armed forces to mobilize air and land assets, specialized search and rescue teams and a surgical field hospital, according to AP. But, the Moroccan government has not formally asked for assistance, which is required for outside rescue teams to be deployed, according to AP.

Sep 09, 2023, 6:32 AM EDT

President Biden issues written statement on Morocco earthquake

President Biden said in a written statement that he was “deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Morocco.”

A person with a child walk next to a damaged building following an earthquake in Marrakesh, Morocco, Sept. 9 2023.
Jalal Morchidi/EPA via Shutterstock

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by this terrible hardship," the president said. "My administration is in contact with Moroccan officials. We are working expeditiously to ensure American citizens in Morocco are safe, and stand ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Moroccan people. The United States stands by Morocco and my friend King Mohammed VI at this difficult moment.”

Sep 09, 2023, 6:29 AM EDT

Casualty numbers climb as search and rescue operations continue

The number of casualties in the Moroccan earthquake has risen as search and rescue operations to find survivors continued on Saturday afternoon.

The Moroccan Interior Ministry confirmed that at least 820 people have died and 672 people have been injured.

A damaged vehicle is pictured in the historic city of Marrakech, following a powerful earthquake in Morocco, Sept. 9, 2023.
Jana Meerman via Reuters

About half of the deaths were in the province of Al Haouz, which is near the epicenter of the quake, according to the Associated Press citing Moroccan state news agency (MAP). Authorities also recorded deaths in Taroudant, Chichaoua, Marrakech, Azilal, Ouarzazate, Agadir, Casablanca and Youssoufia, according to AP.

Sep 09, 2023, 4:17 AM EDT

At least 632 people dead, another 329 injured

At least 632 people are dead and another 329 people have been injured in the earthquake that hit Morocco late Friday night, according to Morocco's Interior Ministry on Saturday morning. The casualties were mostly in Marrakech and the five provinces near the quake's epicenter. Authorities expect these numbers to rise as the search continues and rescuers reach remote areas.

Elsewhere, Moroccan media reported that the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, one of the city's most famed landmarks, suffered damage, but the extent was not immediately clear, according to the Associated Press.

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