The number of victims reached nearly 1,000 people, and leaders of many countries sent their condolences.

The Moroccan Interior Ministry said the death toll from the powerful earthquake on the evening of September 8 has risen to 632, while 329 people were injured.

Động đất ở Morocco: Số nạn nhân lên đến gần 1.000 người, lãnh đạo nhiều nước gưi lời chia buồn

Earthquake causes serious consequences in Morocco. (Source: Al-Aoula)

In a televised update on the death toll, Morocco's Interior Ministry called on people to remain calm.

Earlier, a local official said most of the victims were concentrated in inaccessible mountainous areas. The city of Marrakech is the closest location to the epicenter. The earthquake collapsed many buildings in the ancient city, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Other affected localities include Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant. According to witnesses, there were multiple tremors lasting about 20 seconds.

Leaders of many countries have sent condolences to Morocco.

In his opening speech at the G20 Summit in India on the morning of September 9, host country Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences for the loss of life caused by the earthquake in Morocco and wished all the injured a speedy recovery.

He affirmed that India stands ready to support Morocco in this difficult time.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also sent his condolences to the families of the victims of the devastating earthquake in Morocco via social network X (formerly Twitter). He wrote: “At this difficult time, our thoughts are with the victims of the terrible earthquake. Our thoughts are with those affected by this natural disaster.”

Morocco's geophysical agency said the earthquake occurred in the Ighil area of the High Atlas mountains and had a magnitude of 7. The US Geological Survey said the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.8 with a relatively shallow epicenter of 18.5km.

This is the deadliest earthquake in Morocco since the 2004 disaster near Al Hoceima in the Rif Mountains in the north of the country that killed more than 600 people.

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