Morocco earthquake updates: Over 2,900 killed in rare, powerful quake
The quake struck Morocco’s High Atlas mountain range near Marrakech.
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:
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.
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.
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.
UN says it is 'ready to assist' as US embassy issues safety alert
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, said he is "profoundly saddened" after learning of the earthquake that took place in Morocco late Friday night, according to a statement issued by the UN Saturday morning.
"The Secretary-General was profoundly saddened to learn of the earthquake that hit Morocco today which claimed many lives," the statement read. "The Secretary-General expresses his solidarity with the government and people of Morocco in these difficult times. He addresses his most sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured. The United Nations is ready to assist the government of Morocco in its efforts to assist the impacted population."
Meanwhile, the U.S. embassy in Morocco urged Americans to "exercise caution for the next 24 hours in case of additional earthquakes or aftershocks" and to "adhere to police instructions regarding road closures or traffic disruptions."
Powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake strikes Morocco
At least 296 people were killed Friday night when a 6.8-magnitude struck Marrakech, Morocco, according to Morocco’s Interior Ministry.
The quake struck within the Moroccan High Atlas Mountain range, roughly 75 km (46 miles) southeast of Marrakech, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
It was the strongest earthquake to hit that region in more than a century, according to the USGS.