Morocco earthquake toll passes 2,800 as rescuers search for survivors

Mohamed Sebbagh (66) lost his house in the deadly earthquake in Amizmiz, Morocco. Photo: Nacho Doce/Reuters

Alexander Cornwell and Ahmed Eljechtimi

Villagers wept for lost relatives in the rubble of their homes on Monday as the death toll from Morocco's deadliest earthquake in more than six decades rose to more than 2,800 and rescuers raced against time to find survivors.

Search teams from Spain, Britain and Qatar were joining Moroccan rescue efforts after a 6.8 magnitude quake struck late on Friday in the High Atlas Mountains, with the epicentre 72 km (45 miles) southwest of Marrakech.