Morocco earthquake: Death toll rises to over 2000

Morocco: In Morocco, the death toll from a powerful earthquake has risen to over 2,012 with more than 2,059 injured.

In a statement, Morocco's Interior Ministry said the heaviest casualties are in provinces just south of Marrakesh.

Meanwhile, Moroccan King Mohammed VI declared three days of national mourning and ordered shelter, food and other help for survivors as many people spent a second night in the open.

Friday’s 6.8-magnitude quake struck 72 kilometres (45 miles) southwest of the tourist hub of Marrakesh, wiping out entire villages in rural areas.

“I’ve lost everything”, said Lahcen, a resident of the mountain village of Moulay Brahim, whose wife and four children were killed.

Rescue workers recovered the bodies of Lahcen’s three daughters from the rubble of what was once their home, but have not yet found the bodies of his wife and son.

“I can’t do anything about it now, I just want to get away from the world and mourn.”

Troops and emergency services have scrambled to reach remote mountain villages where victims are still feared trapped.

Al-Haouz province, where the epicentre of the earthquake was located, suffered the most deaths with 1,293, followed by the province of Taroudant with 452.