A powerful magnitude-6.8 earthquake hit Morocco causing widespread destruction in the region south of Marrakech. As of Monday morning, 2,681 deaths have been reports and 2,501 injuries. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to save survivors in villages reduced to rubble. The epicenter was in the Atlas Mountains, a rural area known for its beauty. Many villages, made of clay and mud, were destroyed. Morocco has deployed resources for emergency response, but international aid has been limited. The earthquake also damaged parts of the walls surrounding Marrakech’s old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site standing since the 12th century. While strong, this earthquake is not the deadliest in Morocco’s history. Long-term recovery efforts are needed to help affected communities rebuild.
