Rescue Operation Intensifies in Wake of Devastating Moroccan Earthquake

In the aftermath of Morocco's deadliest earthquake in more than six decades, rescue operations have kicked into high gear as the death toll soared past 2,800. The earthquake, registering at a formidable 6.8 magnitude, struck the High Atlas Mountains, approximately 72 kilometers (45 miles) southwest of Marrakech.

Rescue teams from Spain, Britain, and Qatar have joined Moroccan efforts in a race against time to find survivors amidst the rubble. The use of traditional mud brick houses in the region has posed significant challenges, as these structures crumbled upon impact, reducing the odds of locating survivors.

Despite the daunting scale of destruction, rescuers remain undeterred, searching with the help of sniffer dogs. They hold onto hope that survivors may still be trapped in the collapsed structures.

As search and rescue efforts gained momentum, temporary tent camps emerged in some locations, providing much-needed shelter for those who have spent three consecutive nights outdoors.

The Moroccan government has taken swift action to provide aid, with the army reinforcing search-and-rescue teams, distributing essential supplies, and extending support to those affected. Military helicopters have been delivering crucial provisions to isolated families in hard-to-reach areas.

The earthquake has also inflicted significant damage on Morocco's cultural heritage, with buildings in Marrakech's UNESCO World Heritage Site and the historically important 12th-century Tinmel Mosque bearing the brunt of the destruction.

This seismic catastrophe ranks as Morocco's deadliest since 1960 and is the most powerful earthquake in the region since at least 1900, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

In a televised statement, government spokesperson Mustapha Baytas defended the government's response, emphasizing that every possible effort is being made on the ground.

The Moroccan government is determined to proceed with the International Monetary Fund-World Bank annual meetings scheduled for the following month in Marrakech.

Spain, Britain, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar have already extended offers of aid, with Spain and Britain sending search-and-rescue specialists with sniffer dogs. Additional offers of relief from other countries may be accepted in the near future, as reported by state TV.

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