Earthquake in Morocco Kills Nearly 2,500

The death toll from a powerful earthquake in Morocco has risen to nearly 2,500, officials said on Monday. Rescuers have been using their bare hands to dig for survivors, but heavy lifting equipment cannot get through roads blocked by boulders to reach remote villages near the epicenter.

The earthquake struck on Friday at a depth of 16 kilometers (10 miles) below the surface, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Marrakesh. It was the deadliest earthquake in Morocco in 60 years.

The most affected areas are the villages of Imlil and Ait Benhaddou, which are popular tourist destinations. Many of the victims were tourists who were visiting the area during the Easter holiday.

Rescue efforts are being hampered by the remote location of the affected villages and the difficult terrain. Roads have been blocked by landslides and rescuers have had to use donkeys and mules to transport supplies and equipment.

The Moroccan government has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas and has dispatched thousands of troops and rescuers to help with the relief effort.

The earthquake has also caused widespread damage to infrastructure. Many homes and businesses have been destroyed and power and water supplies have been cut off in some areas.

The Moroccan government has appealed for international assistance to help with the relief effort. The United Nations has said that it is ready to provide assistance and has dispatched a team of experts to Morocco to assess the damage.

The earthquake is a major tragedy for Morocco and the international community is rallying to help the victims. The relief effort is expected to be long and difficult, but the Moroccan people are resilient and will overcome this challenge.