Over 1,300 dead after quake strikes near Marrakech, Morocco

By Chris Lau, Seán Federico O’Murchú, Andrew Raine and Adrienne Vogt, CNN

Updated 4:22 p.m. ET, September 9, 2023

What we’re covering

• The death toll has surpassed 1,300 from a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Morocco on Friday night, according to state TV. The toll makes it the deadliest quake to hit the North African country in decades.
• Rescue teams are reportedly struggling to reach the most affected areas, with roads blocked by debris. One witness said “we are hoping for miracles from the rubble.”
• The epicenter was in the High Atlas mountains, about 72 kilometers (45 miles) southwest of Marrakech, a popular tourist city of about 840,000 people. The city’s historic walls, first laid out in the early 12th century, have been damaged.
• The quake was the most powerful to shake the area surrounding Marrakech in more than 120 years, according to the US Geological Survey.
• Here’s how to help victims of the earthquake in Morocco.

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Death toll continues to climb as Morocco reels from earthquake. Here’s what you need to know

From CNN staff

As night falls in Morocco, those who’ve had their homes destroyed by the deadly 6.8-magnitude earthquake may find themselves again sleeping on the streets. Search and rescue teams are trying to reach those affected near the mountainous epicenter, and experts warn the number of dead may continue to rise.

These are the latest developments:

Death toll climbs: At least 1,300 people have died and over 1,800 are hurt due to the quake, according to state broadcaster Al Aoula, which cited the interior ministry. Morocco will observe three days of mourning following the disaster, the Royal Palace said Saturday.

Eyewitnesses near the High Atlas mountains say there is “destruction everywhere.” It was the strongest quake to hit within 500 kilometers (about 310 miles) of the area in more than a century, according to the US Geological Survey.

https://ix.cnn.io/dailygraphics/graphics/20230909-morocco-earthquake/index.html?initialWidth=737&childId=responsive-embed-af3a8fb5ec73feeaba57ba67&parentTitle=Live%20updates%3A%20Death%20toll%20rises%20near%20Marrakech%2C%20Morocco%2C%20after%206.8-magnitude%20quake&parentUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fmiddleeast%2Flive-news%2Fmorocco-earthquake-09-09-2023%2Findex.html

Uncertain