Rescuers in Morocco race against time searching for quake survivors

Residents pass by damaged buildings near the epicenter at Amizmiz Village in Morocco, Sept 10, 2023. [Xinhua]

He added that being stranded outdoors for another cold night was particularly difficult for elders and the children.

The earthquake hit Morocco Friday at 11:11 p.m. local time (2211 GMT) at a depth of 18.5 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The death toll has risen to 2,012, among whom 1,293 were reported in Al Haouz and 452 were in the Taroudant Province. The quake left some 2,059 people injured, with 1,404 in severe condition, the Moroccan Interior Ministry said in its latest update.

The World Health Organization estimated that more than 300,000 people in Marrakesh and its outskirts were affected by the disaster.