Morocco Earthquake Death Toll Exceeds 2,000... 1,404 in Critical Condition

Around 11:11 PM on the 8th in Gangjin

The death toll from a magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck southwestern Morocco in North Africa has surpassed 2,000.

On the 10th (local time), foreign media reported that Morocco's state broadcaster, citing the Ministry of Interior, announced that the number of earthquake fatalities has risen to 2,012.

The number of injured has also increased to 2,059. Among the injured, 1,404 are in serious condition, and with ongoing search and rescue operations, the death toll is expected to rise further.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurred around 11:11 p.m. on the 8th near the medieval city of Marrakech, approximately 71 km away.

The Ministry of Interior reported that the damage was severe in the Al Haouz and Taroudant areas close to the epicenter, and fatalities were also reported in the provinces of Ouarzazate, Chichaoua, Azilal, Youssoufia, as well as in Marrakech, Agadir, and Casablanca regions.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter was located near Ouka?meden in the Atlas Mountains at 31.11 degrees north latitude and 8.44 degrees west longitude, with a relatively shallow focal depth of 18.5 km. Generally, the shallower the focus, the greater the destructive power on the surface.

More than 2,000 people have died due to a magnitude 6.8 earthquake that occurred in the southwestern region of Morocco, North Africa.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The earthquake struck at night when residents were asleep, with a shallow focal depth of about 18 km, causing many old brick houses to collapse, resulting in significant casualties.

BBC reported that this was the largest earthquake in over 120 years in the area, and the lack of preparedness for such a strong quake contributed to the increased human casualties.

Moroccan authorities have deployed the military for search and rescue operations for missing persons, but local media reported that in the high-altitude Atlas Mountain region, roads have been cut off or blocked by landslides, making ambulance access difficult.

Some cultural heritage sites in the old city Medina of the medieval city of Marrakech, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, have also reportedly suffered damage from the earthquake.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.