The Moroccan government announced that the death toll from the earthquake that struck the country on Friday night has risen to more than two thousand by ten o'clock local time.

The Ministry of Interior stated in its announcement: "As of ten o'clock in the evening, the number of fatalities resulting from the earthquake has reached 2012 individuals, with 2059 injured, 1404 of whom are in serious condition."

The majority of the fatalities are concentrated in the provinces of Al Haouz (1293) and Taroudant (452), which were the most affected south of Marrakech.

The statement indicated that the authorities "continue their efforts to rescue and evacuate the injured and provide care for the victims, mobilizing all necessary resources."

An earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale struck several areas in Morocco, with its epicenter located in the Al Haouz and Marrakech regions.

Medical sources and civil defense in Morocco anticipate an increase in the death toll as rescue operations continue.

The Moroccan royal palace announced on Saturday evening a national mourning period of three days and the lowering of flags over all public buildings following the earthquake that hit the kingdom.