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

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

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 10, 2023, 1:30 PM EDT

Biden offers 'necessary assistance' to devastated Morocco

President Joe Biden on Sunday expressed his "sadness by the loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake in Morocco" and said the United States is committed to providing the country with all "necessary assistance."

During remarks in Vietnam, Biden said the United States is working to make sure Americans in Morocco are safe.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Morocco and my friend King Mohammed VI," Biden said. "We're working expeditiously to ensure American citizens in Morocco are safe, standing ready to provide any necessary assistance to the Moroccan people as well. We made that offer. "

Sep 10, 2023, 1:07 PM EDT

Death toll rises to 2,122, thousands more injured

At least 2,122 people are dead following Friday's massive earthquake, according to the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces.

Al-Haouz province, where the epicenter was located, suffered the highest number of deaths, followed by the province of Taroudant.

In the village of Amizmiz, some areas have been entirely wiped out, local TV reported. The Red Cross warned that it could take years to repair the damage.

At least 2,421 are injured, officials said.

Sep 09, 2023, 5:46 PM EDT

Death toll surpasses 2,000

The death toll in the earthquake near Marrakech has surpassed 2,000, according to Morocco's Interior Ministry.

At least 2,012 people were killed, mostly in Marrakech and five provinces near the epicenter, officials said. At least 2,059 people were injured -- including 1,404 critically -- officials said.

A view shows a damaged room, following a powerful earthquake, in the village of Tansghart in the Asni area, Morocco, Sept, 9, 2023.
Abdelhak Balhaki/Reuters

Sep 09, 2023, 11:11 AM EDT

Algeria offers to open its airspace to Morocco following deadly quake

Algeria has offered humanitarian aid and has offered to open its airspace to allow eventual humanitarian aid or medical evacuation flights in and out of neighboring Morocco as the death toll continues to rise.

The country, which is bordered by Morocco to the west, closed the airspace when its government severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021 over a series of issues. The countries have a decades-long dispute involving the territory of Western Sahara.

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

Algeria said it is ready to offer humanitarian aid "in solidarity with the brotherly Moroccan people, in case the authorities of the Moroccan kingdom express a wish for this," Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's office said in a statement Saturday.

The statement also offered condolences for the dead and "deepest compassion" for the injured.

Related Topics