Morocco earthquake Live Updates: Death toll crosses 1,000 mark as 6.8 magnitude earthquake jolts the country

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Morocco earthquake death toll crosses 1000-mark, more deaths feared

Official figures from Morocco's Interior Ministry have revealed that the death toll due to the earthquake has crossed 1000 mark.

In a statement, the ministry has said that 1037 people have been confirmed dead. 1204 people are injured. 721 of them are in critical condition.

US President Joe Biden, who is currently in India for G20 Summit has expressed sympathy for Morocco earthquake victim.

He said US was "ready to provide any necessary assistance".

Morocco's Interior Ministry has said that the earthquake death toll has crossed 800 mark. At least 820 people have been killed and another 672 have been injured.

"All my solidarity with the people of Morocco in the face of the terrible earthquake ... Spain stands with the victims of this tragedy and their families," said Spain's acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

French President Emmanuel Macron has offered to help Morocco as the country grapples with aftermath of devastating earthquake.

"We are all shocked after the terrible earthquake in Morocco. France stands ready to help first aid responses," Macron said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed solidarity with Moroccans in a post on X (formerly Twitter.

"We stand by our Moroccan brothers with all our means in this difficult day," he said in a post on X," he posted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered condolences over the devastating earthquake in Morocco.

"Please accept my sincere condolences on the tragic consequences of the devastating earthquake in the central regions of your country. Russia shares the worry and sorrow of the friendly people of Morocco. Please convey words of sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all those who have suffered as a result of this natural disaster," said Putin.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that Germany was mourning for the victims of Morocco earthquake.

"Awful images are reaching us from Morocco. Together with the people of Morocco, we mourn the victims of the terrible earthquake. Our thoughts are with them and all those who are searching for those buried in these hours and fighting for the lives of the many injured," Annalena Baerbock said as quoted by Reuters.

Morocco's civil protection forces early on Saturday morning were preparing truck loads of supplies from a center in Arjaat to be sent to quake zones. The earthquake struck Morocco's High Atlas mountains killing at least 296 people, destroying buildings and sending residents of major cities rushing from their homes.

Moroccan TV citing the ministry of interior said deaths of the quake reached 632 and injuries were up to 329. A local official said most deaths were in mountain areas that were hard to reach.

Indian Embassy in Morocco advised all Indian nationals in the quake-hit country to call our helpline +212661297491 for any assistance.

"Indian Embassy in Morocco expresses its deep sympathy to the victims of the earthquake in Morocco. India stands ready to extend assistance to Morocco in this difficult time," it said in an X (formerly Twitter) post.

At least 632 people have died and at least 329 have been injured as country updates death toll.

PM Modi said at G20, “Before we start the proceedings of G20, I want to express my condolences over the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. We pray that all injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time.”

Residents of Marrakech, the nearest major city to the epicentre, said some buildings had collapsed in the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and local television showed pictures of a fallen mosque minaret with rubble lying on smashed cars. Morocco's geophysical centre said the quake struck in the Ighil area of the High Atlas with a magnitude of 7.2. The U.S. Geological Survey put the quake's magnitude at 6.8 and said it was at a relatively shallow depth of 18.5 km (11.5 miles).

Reuters news agency said that residents in Marrakesh reported that some buildings had collapsed in the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and local television showed pictures of a fallen mosque minaret with rubble lying on smashed cars.

"Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time," he said in social media site X.

In a speech broadcast on Saturday, Morocco's Interior Ministry urged people to keep calm and to "avoid panic", saying the government has already activated all resources available to deal with the tragedy.

The quake struck 44 miles (71 kilometres) southwest of tourist hotspot Marrakesh at a depth of 18.5 kilometres at 11:11 pm (2211 GMT), the US Geological Survey said. The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring Algeria, where the Algerian Civil Defence said it had not caused any damage or casualties.

An earthquake of the magnitude 6.8 struck central Morocco late on Friday, the US Geological Survey said, following which hundreds of people are reported to be dead.

At least 296 people have succumbed to the injuries from the rubble that became of the buildings they were in when the earthquake hit the northwest African nation. 

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