The earthquake in Morocco

 

Racial crowds in the city of Amizmiz. Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP  

 

The earthquake in Morocco

French confusion over Morocco's refusal to help  

 

The Moroccan government's reluctance to accept aid from France after the earthquake is causing consternation among French aid workers, AFP reports.  

 

Arnaud Fraisse, director of the organization Aid workers without borders, tells France Inter that they had hoped to fly on Monday.  

 

- Unfortunately, we still have not received the green light from the Moroccan government, he says, adding that he does not understand what the "blockade" is due to.  

 

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna calls the debate "inappropriate" and says that Morocco, as an independent country, "has the sole right to decide what their needs are".  

 

However, according to the French historian Pierre Vermeren, it is a "clear political signal" against the former colonial power.  

 

Morocco has so far accepted foreign aid from Spain, the United Kingdom, Qatar and the United States Racial crowds in the city of Amizmiz. 

 

A girl in the city of Amizmiz, which was hit hard by the earthquakes. Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP 

 

The death toll rises – 2,681 confirmed dead in Morocco  

 

The death toll in Morocco continues to rise and by lunchtime on Monday, 2,681 people had been confirmed dead. This is reported by AFP with reference to the country's Ministry of the Interior. 

 

Even more people have been injured after the strong earthquake that occurred south of Marrakech on the night of Saturday. More than two days after the earthquake, the rescue service is fighting against the clock to find more survivors.

 

Woman in the racial masses. Mosa'ab Elshamy / AP 

 

Moroccan authorities defend themselves against the criticism  

 

The growing criticism of the rescue effort after the devastating earthquake is now putting Moroccan authorities on the defensive, the New York Times reports.  

 

Mustafa Baitas, spokesperson for the government, speaks out in a video clip: "Ever since the first seconds after the earthquake [...] all civil and military authorities and medical personnel [...] worked with a quick and efficient effort to rescue victims and recover the bodies of the martyrs."  

 

In several places in the worst-hit area of the Atlas Mountains, villagers have been desperately appealing for help since Friday. On Monday, the first foreign rescue workers, from Spain and Great Britain,joined the effort. 

 

Despite a wide range of countries offering emergency aid after the disaster, Morocco has so far only formally accepted aid from four.  

 

The death toll rose on Monday afternoon to 2,681.

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