Morning update

Good morning Middle East Eye readers,

As Moroccans spent the first day following the devastating Friday earthquake absorbing the initial shock, attention has now been turned to the worst-hit villages in the High Atlas mountains.

Rescue workers are in a race against time to reach dozens of remote villages scattered around Marrakech in the epicentre of the quake.

Due to the rugged terrain and road blockages caused by falling rocks, many small towns have been cut off. 

Some villages have been completely flattened, with the extent of losses not yet fully known. 

The death toll reached 2,012 overnight, with the number likely to continue to increase as emergency responders face an uphill battle to find survivors in the coming hours. 

Keep an eye on MEE's live blog for updates throughout the day, and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram and Youtube.