Morocco quake survivors search continues as countries pledge aid

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Death toll nearly at 2,700

At least 2,681 people died in the strongest-ever earthquake to hit Morocco, the interior ministry said on Monday, revising an earlier toll of nearly 2,500 dead.

Another 2,501 people were injured, the ministry said, as rescue workers race against time in an effort to find survivors.

Death toll nears 2,500 as Morocco rescuers race to find survivors

Rescuers raced against time on Monday to find survivors in the rubble more than 48 hours after Morocco's deadliest earthquake in over six decades, with nearly 2,500 killed in a disaster that devastated villages in the High Atlas Mountains.

Rescuers warned that the traditional mud brick, stone and rough wood housing omnipresent in the mountainous region reduced the chances of finding survivors.

"It's difficult to pull people out alive because most of the walls and ceilings turned to earthen rubble when they fell, burying whoever was inside without leaving air spaces," a military rescue worker, asking not to be named because of army rules against speaking to media, said at an army centre south of the historic city of Marrakech not far from the quake epicentre.

Citizens rush to donate blood

Citizens reported to hospitals in Marrakesh and elsewhere to donate blood for the injured. Among the donors were members of Morocco's national football team.

Other volunteers organised food and essential goods to help quake victims, after complaints that authorities were slow to respond.

"Everyone must mobilise," said one volunteer, Mohamed Belkaid, 65. "And that includes the authorities, but they seem to be absent."

Football federation cancels Morocco-Brazil Olympic friendly in Fez

A friendly kick-off between Morocco and Brazil’s Olympic teams which was scheduled for Monday evening in the North African country’s city of Fez has been cancelled.

The decision was taken by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) as Morocco remains in mourning following the 8 September earthquake.

Over 2,000 people have so far died and thousands more injured, while many towns and villages lay in ruins.

"This action is due to the state of national mourning that will last for three days in response to the destructive earthquake that struck several regions of the Kingdom on Friday night," the FRMF stated on Sunday.

"In these unfortunate circumstances, the national soccer community offers its sympathy and condolences to the affected families and hopes for a quick recovery for those who were injured," the statement concludes.

World pledges help to quake-hit Morocco

Morocco said late Sunday it was accepting offers from just four countries: Britain, Spain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. But countries around the world have lined up to offered to help Morocco.

The International Federation for Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has released over $1 million from its emergency disaster fund to support the Moroccan Red Crescent's work on the ground.

"The next 24 to 48 hours will be critical in terms of saving lives," the global humanitarian network warned on Saturday, adding that help could be needed for months or even years.

Countries which have expressed readiness to send rescue teams and provide aid are also the US, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Turkey - which was struck by a massive earthquake earlier this year - Iraq, Jordan and other organisations.

Israel, which Morocco normalised ties with in 2020, also said it was ready to provide assistance.

France says controversy over Morocco aid misplaced

France's foreign minister on Monday said it was up to Morocco whether to seek French aid in dealing with its deadliest earthquake in more than six decades and said France was ready to help if asked.

Paris and Rabat have had a difficult relationship in recent years notably over the issue of Western Sahara, which Morocco wants France to recognise as Moroccan. Morocco has not had an envoy in Paris since January.

"This is a misplaced controversy," Catherine Colonna told BFM television when asked why Morocco had not made an official request to Paris for urgent assistance despite accepting help from Spain, Britain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

"We are ready to help Morocco. It's a sovereign Moroccan decision and it's up to them to decide," she said.

Paris has made 5 million euros ($5.4 million) available for non-governmental organisations operating in Morocco, Colonna said.

(Reuters)

Death toll rises to 2,122

The North African country's strongest-ever quake killed at least 2,122 people and injured more than 2,400, many seriously, according to official figures updated late on Sunday.

The figure is expected to rise in the following days.