Morning update

Good morning Middle East Eye readers.

As Moroccans come to terms with their initial shock following the devastating earthquake on Friday, attention has now 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.

More than 2,100 people have died and more than 2,421 are injured, many critically. That number is likely to increase as emergency responders face an uphill battle to find survivors in the coming hours. 

Some villages have been completely flattened, with the extent of losses not yet fully known, as response teams are struggling to bring in machinery to some remote areas. 

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