In this live blog you can read the most important developments surrounding the earthquake in southern Morocco:
- The epicenter of the quake was about 80 kilometers south of Marrakech.
- More than 2,000 deaths have been counted and the death toll is expected to rise further.
- The Dutch cabinet has released 5 million euros for aid.
- Rescue services are trying to free people buried under the rubble.
Special prayer in Moroccan mosques for earthquake victims
This afternoon prayers will be held in all mosques in Morocco for the victims of the earthquake. King Mohammed VI has ordered this, the Ministry of Religious Affairs reports. The so-called Salat Al Ghaib, prayer for the absent, will be performed after midday prayers.
The king previously announced three days of national mourning.
Sleeping outside in Marrakech
In Marrakech many people spent a second night in the open air:
Al Haouz province hit hardest at epicenter
Most people have died so far in Al Haouz province, where the epicenter was located. 1293 deaths have been counted there. It is a strikingly large difference with the number of fatalities in Marrakech, which is just above the province; the death toll there stands at 15.
In Taroudant, more than 250 kilometers south of Marrakech, 452 people have died. In the Ouarzazate region east of the epicenter, 41 deaths have been counted.
There have also been deaths in other places, such as in the towns of Tinghir, Agadir and Chichaoua.
Hari feels unable to fight due to Morocco earthquake
Kickboxer Badr Hari has decided at the last minute not to take action during Glory 88 in Paris, out of respect for the victims of the earthquake in Morocco. Just before his fight against the British James McSweeney, he announced this in the ring.
“People are fighting to look for bodies in Morocco, I am not going to fight to entertain,” Hari said.
Those affected are forced to spend the night outside
In several places, people have been forced to spend the night outside because their homes have been destroyed or because they are afraid of the risk of collapse. In the province of Al Haouz, where the epicenter was located, people slept outside. Just like in Marrakech where residents slept in parks and streets.
News channel 2M reports that those affected are demanding that tents be arranged to protect them from the heat during the day and the cold weather at night. There is also said to be a shortage of bread because bakeries have not opened.
Report by Dutch documentary maker in Marrakech
Death toll rises to 2012
The death toll from the earthquake in Morocco has risen to 2012, reports the Ministry of the Interior in Morocco. The death toll is expected to rise further as authorities struggle to reach hard-hit areas.
There are also at least 2,059 injuries. 1,404 of them are seriously injured.
Morocco mourns and searches for survivors
Emergency workers in Morocco are still busy searching for survivors of the major earthquake. About 24 hours after the quake, it is clear that more than two thousand people have died. More than two thousand people were also injured.
The epicenter was south of Marrakech, but the earthquake was also felt hundreds of kilometers away. Authorities have not yet been able to reach parts of the disaster area in the Atlas Mountains. The death toll is expected to rise further.
Three days of national mourning have been declared in Morocco. Several countries have pledged assistance.
The Red Cross has started a fundraising campaign. Dutch Moroccans are also setting up relief efforts. Flags are flying at half-mast in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht. The outgoing cabinet has pledged 5 million euros to the Red Cross and is looking at what else the Netherlands can do.
