Morocco death toll rises to 2,000 after rare, destructive earthquake strikes country

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit Morocco on Friday, killing at least 2,012 people and injuring more than 2,059 others. Ancient buildings were also damaged by the quake.

The death toll is expected to rise as first responders struggle to reach remote villages in the country. Morocco’s King Mohammed VI instructed his military to conduct search and rescue missions and operate surgical field hospitals to assist remote villagers.

The earthquake's epicenter was near Ighil, a town in the Al Haouz Province. The town is located around 44 miles south of the capital city of Marrakesh.