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Desperate doctors in Morocco overwhelmed by needs of earthquake survivors
Marrakesh tourism operators urge people to travel to Morocco after the earthquake
Dubai restaurant opens doors to mourners after Morocco earthquake
Devastating earthquake strikes Atlas Mountains
Here's what we know about the earthquake in Morocco:
> An earthquake in Morocco's High Atlas mountains on Friday has killed at least 2,901 people, said the country’s Interior Ministry.
> The deaths were in Marrakesh and in areas to the south.
> The magnitude-6.8 quake's epicentre was at a depth of 18.5km and occurred in the Atlas Mountains, about 72km south-west of Marrakesh at just after 11pm local time, according to the US Geological Survey.
> The country experiences frequent earthquakes. The last major tremor, in 2004, killed 628 people.
> UAE President Sheikh Mohamed has directed the opening of an air bridge to assist the relief effort.
> UAE Rulers have joined other world leaders in sending condolences to King Mohammed VI and the families of the victims.
Moroccan king donates blood at hospital treating survivors
Morocco's King Mohammed VI visited a hospital treating earthquake victims and donated blood on Tuesday, as efforts to locate survivors continued.
The monarch visited the Mohammed VI hospital in Marrakesh, according to local media, where he donated blood and inquired about the health of survivors and their treatment.
More than 2,000 survivors are being treated in hospitals across the capital, including 484 in a serious condition.
Algeria says Morocco has rejected aid offer
Algeria's Foreign Ministry has said Morocco rejected aid, after initially accepting offers to help quake-hit areas.
Algiers said it had prepared three transport aircraft to bring humanitarian aid to Morocco, and was in contact with a crisis cell in Marrakesh, where Friday's earthquake caused widespread destruction.
But Algerian officials said that shortly after midnight "the director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Algerian consul that, after assessment, the Kingdom of Morocco does not need the humanitarian aid proposed by Algeria."
Two years ago, Algeria closed its airspace to Morocco and cut ties, accusing Rabat of "hostile acts".
Areas of dispute included claims that Morocco had used spyware, supported a separatist group and failed in commitments over the disputed territory of Western Sahara. Morocco denies these claims.
Death toll rises to 2,901
The death toll from Friday's earthquake has risen to 2,901, the Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.
Another 5,530 were injured in the quake.
Red Cross appeals for more than $100 million to help Morocco
The Red Cross has appealed for more than $100 million to provide desperately needed assistance in Morocco, after a powerful earthquake killed more than 2,800 people.
"We are seeking 100 million Swiss francs ($112 million) to be able to deliver on the most pressing needs at this time, which include health, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter relief items and basic needs," said Caroline Holt, global director of operations at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Egypt declares three days of mourning for Morocco and Libya
Egypt has declared three days of mourning in solidarity with the Moroccan and Libyan people, the Presidency said on Tuesday.
This follows the earthquake in Morocco on Friday that has killed at least 2,862 people and flooding in Libya in which 2,000 people in the east of the country may have died.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has tasked Egypt's armed forces with providing support for the two countries, said officials.
This includes rescue teams and equipment and camps for sheltering those affected in co-ordination with local authorities.
Mr El Sisi also offered his condolences.
Doctors overwhelmed helping earthquake survivors
Relief workers and doctors in Morocco are desperately trying to respond to the needs of survivors of Friday’s earthquake.
At least 2,862 people were killed and more than 2,500 were injured in the quake, according to an official toll published late on Monday.
Doctors are facing a high number of patients but have very few resources to treat them, said officials.
Medical staff are reported to have moved patients outside and into tents due to the threat from aftershocks.
British team joins search for survivors in High Atlas Mountains
British search-and-rescue experts are supporting the earthquake response in Morocco.
The teams have been treating injured people and searching for survivors in collapsed buildings in affected areas in the High Atlas Mountains, said officials.
At least 100,000 children affected by Morocco quake
At least 100,000 children have been impacted by the earthquake that struck Morocco on Friday, Unicef has said.
Unicef said that it is ready to support the humanitarian response to reach affected children and families.
Earthquake death toll rises to 2,862
Moroccan authorities have revised the death toll to 2,862 people, state TV reported on Monday evening.
More than 2,500 were injured in the quake, it added.
Morocco earthquake survivors tell of horror, grief and narrow escapes
Khadija Baouzi had no time to run outside when the massive earthquake hit last Friday, levelling the buildings in her town, including her home, within seconds.
Ms Baouzi, who was severely injured in the earthquake, is currently being treated at King Mohamed VI University Hospital in Marrakesh.
In front of the hospital, her niece, Mouna, told The National about her aunt’s plight and that of others in the town.
“Her husband died on the spot while my aunt was crushed, both her arm and leg were crushed … May God have mercy on her,” she said, as she sat on the ground with her daughter near the main emergency entrance of the hospital.
EU releases €1 million for earthquake relief
The EU has announced it has released €1 million for earthquake aid in Morocco.
"The EU is releasing initial funding of €1 million in humanitarian aid to help people most affected. This funding aims to support the relief efforts deployed by humanitarian partners in the country," officials said on Monday.
Janez Lenarcic, commissioner for crisis management, said: "The tragic earthquake in Morocco has caused terrible suffering and loss of life.
"With the EU standing in solidarity with the Moroccan people, we are releasing funding of €1 million to help meet the most urgent needs of the most affected population.
"The EU remains ready to assist Morocco in any way necessary during this difficult period."
UN in close contact with Marrakesh over flood response
The UN's Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs has said it is in close contact with Morocco as rescue teams battle against a ticking clock and abysmal conditions in quake-hit areas.
"Road blockages and difficult geographic conditions have made it challenging to conduct search and rescue interventions," OCHA said in a Monday statement.
"Moroccan authorities are leading the response efforts and have activated national rescue-and-response mechanisms.
"Civil protection units have been deployed to increase stocks in blood banks and ensure the supply of vital resources, including water, food, tents and blankets to affected areas."
"The Secretary General has expressed his solidarity with the government and people of Morocco in these difficult times. We continue to be in close communication with the authorities to offer our support in assessment, co-ordination and response to the situation."
Death toll rises to 2,681
Another 2,501 people were injured, the ministry said, as rescue workers race against time in an effort to find survivors.
French aid group withdraws offer to send rescue team as hope dwindles
A French aid group that specialises in locating people trapped under debris said it is withdrawing an offer to send a nine-person search and rescue team after waiting without success for a green light from Morocco.
Rescuers Without Borders' founder, Arnaud Fraisse, told the Associated Press that "our role is not to find bodies".
Because homes in quake-hit areas were often made of mud bricks with roofs of wood, stone and clay, he said, the hope of finding survivors at this point is slim.
“When all of that collapses, you don’t have much chance of surviving, because there are no air pockets,” Mr Fraisse said — a contrast to places where buildings are made of concrete or other strong materials.
“People are generally suffocated by the dust."
- Associated Press
France and China donate to Morocco
The aid is to support rescue and relief work being carried out after the magnitude-6.8 quake struck Morocco on Friday, the Chinese Red Cross said in a Monday statement.
Morocco accepts limited aid while expressing gratitude for international solidarity
Morocco has limited the amount of aid it is accepting in response to Friday's devastating earthquake that killed nearly 2,500 people, after several countries offered assistance.
In a statement, Morocco's government said the kingdom welcomes acts of solidarity by the international community but has conducted assessments on the ground and will subsequently accept aid from Spain, Qatar, the UK and the UAE.
Aftershocks to continue 'for months'
Earthquake death toll rises to 2,497
The death toll of the earthquake that hit Morocco on Friday night has climbed to 2,497, the country's Interior Ministry said on Monday.
The number of people injured is now 2,476, the ministry said.