MOROCCO
\nAs the death toll crosses more than 2,000 after an earthquake struck Morocco late on Friday, rescue teams are racing to find survivors trapped in the rubble of mountainous villages and ancient cities not built to withstand such force.
\nThe magnitude 6.8 earthquake has killed at least 2,012 people and injured over 2,059, many of them critically, according to the latest official figures. The quake struck 72 kilometres south-west of the historic city of Marrakesh, wiping out entire villages in rural areas
\nIn Marrakesh, people could be seen on state TV clustering in the streets, afraid to go back inside buildings that might still be unstable. Situated at the foot of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, the 11th-century city of palms and elegant palaces is Morocco\u2019s top tourist attraction, welcoming more than 2 million visitors a year.
\nDramatic videos shared on social media showed the famous Koutoubia Mosque shaking as people rushed to safety nearby. Built in the 12th century, the mosque\u2019s 69-metre minaret is popularly known as the \u201croof of Marrakesh.\u201d
\nThe Koutoubia Mosque looms over the vast Jemaa El Fna square, the beating heart of Marrakesh, which comes alive each night with dancers, storytellers, snake charmers and dozens of food stalls brimming with traditional Moroccan dishes
\nAuthorities said the extent of the damage to the mosque was not immediately clear. Most of the main historic sites in the old city appeared largely unscathed as well.
\nEric Falt, the regional director of Unesco, told the online Morocco World News that the damage was \u201cmuch more significant than expected\u201d.
\nFalt, who conducted a two-hour assessment of the city, said: \u201cAfter a disaster like this, the most important thing is to preserve human lives. But it is also necessary to immediately plan for the second phase, which will include the reconstruction of schools and cultural assets affected by the earthquake.\u201d
\nMoroccans also posted videos showing damage to parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city, a Unesco World Heritage site. The collapsed minaret of another mosque was also widely shared.
\nThe city became a huge influence on his work, particularly his use of colour.
\nSaint Laurent, who died in 2008, spent time there every year while designing his collections. In 2017, a museum dedicated to his designs was opened in the city.
\nEach November, Hollywood stars descend on Marrakesh for its international film festival, with some of the screenings taking place under the stars in Jemaa El Fna.
\nSharon Stone, Martin Scorsese, Sigourney Weaver and Robert de Niro are among those to have walked the red carpet in a country that has long been a favourite location for international film shoots.
\nLast month, the Oscar-winning Scorsese announced he was returning to the festival, set to run from November 24 to December 2, as the official patron for the event\u2019s Atlas Workshops.
\n\u201cI am always happy to be returning to my beloved Marrakesh Film Festival. When I haven\u2019t been able to attend in person, I\u2019ve always been there in spirit,\u201d said Scorsese.
\n\u201cFor this very special anniversary edition of the festival, I have been entrusted with a precious task: to interact with young filmmakers and help to guide them on their way. I look forward to seeing old friends, and to making new ones.\u201d
\nThis year\u2019s Atlas Workshop participants will be known as the Class of Martin Scorsese.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MOROCCO As the death toll crosses more than 2,000 after an earthquake struck Morocco late on Friday, rescue teams are racing to find survivors trapped in the rubble of mountainous villages and ancient cities not built to withstand such force. The magnitude 6.8 earthquake has killed at least 2,012 people and injured over 2,059, many […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":355111,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-355084","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n