Follow the latest updates on the Moroccan earthquake here
As the death toll crosses more than 2,000 after an earthquake struck Morocco late on Friday, rescue teams are racing to find survivors trapped in the rubble of mountainous villages and ancient cities not built to withstand such force.
The magnitude 6.8 earthquake has killed at least 2,012 people and injured over 2,059, many of them critically, according to the latest official figures. The quake struck 72 kilometres south-west of the historic city of Marrakesh, wiping out entire villages in rural areas
In Marrakesh, people could be seen on state TV clustering in the streets, afraid to go back inside buildings that might still be unstable. Situated at the foot of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, the 11th-century city of palms and palaces is Morocco's top tourist attraction, welcoming more than 2 million visitors a year.
Dramatic videos shared on social media showed the famous Koutoubia Mosque shaking as people rushed to safety nearby. Built in the 12th century, the mosque's 69-metre minaret is popularly known as the “roof of Marrakesh.”
The Koutoubia Mosque looms over the vast Jemaa El Fna square, the beating heart of Marrakesh, which comes alive each night with dancers, storytellers, snake charmers and dozens of food stalls brimming with traditional Moroccan dishes.
Authorities said the extent of the damage to the mosque was not immediately clear. Most of the main historic sites in the old city appeared largely unscathed as well.
Eric Falt, the regional director of Unesco, told the online Morocco World News that the damage was "much more significant than expected".
Falt, who conducted a two-hour assessment of the city, said: "After a disaster like this, the most important thing is to preserve human lives. But it is also necessary to immediately plan for the second phase, which will include the reconstruction of schools and cultural assets affected by the earthquake."
Moroccans also posted videos showing damage to parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city, a Unesco World Heritage site. The collapsed minaret of another mosque was also widely shared.
Legendary French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent visited Marrakesh in 1966 and was immediately smitten.
The city became a huge influence on his work, particularly his use of colour.
Saint Laurent, who died in 2008, spent time there every year while designing his collections. In 2017, a museum dedicated to his designs was opened in the city.
Each November, Hollywood stars descend on Marrakesh for its international film festival, with some of the screenings taking place under the stars in Jemaa El Fna.
Sharon Stone, Martin Scorsese, Sigourney Weaver and Robert de Niro are among those to have walked the red carpet in a country that has long been a favourite location for international film shoots.
Last month, the Oscar-winning Scorsese announced he was returning to the festival, set to run from November 24 to December 2, as the official patron for the event’s Atlas Workshops.
“I am always happy to be returning to my beloved Marrakesh Film Festival. When I haven’t been able to attend in person, I’ve always been there in spirit,” said Scorsese.
“For this very special anniversary edition of the festival, I have been entrusted with a precious task: to interact with young filmmakers and help to guide them on their way. I look forward to seeing old friends, and to making new ones.”
This year’s Atlas Workshop participants will be known as the Class of Martin Scorsese.
Agencies contributed to this report
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Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
