Death toll from Morocco earthquake continues to climb

A devastating earthquake in Morocco is known to have killed more than 2,500 people, but that number is expected to rise.

European countries have sent aid following Friday's catastrophic quake that destroyed homes, blocked roads and wiped entire villages of the map. 

Soldiers and aid workers are now racing to reach remote areas in the Atlas Mountains which may be almost entirely destroyed. 

Meanwhile, locals dig the rubble - often with only shovels and their bare hands - in a desperate hunt for survivors. 

Morocco's Interior Ministry updated its death toll on Monday afternoon, detailing 2,497 dead and 2,476 injured. 

The United Nations estimated that 300,000 people were affected by Friday night's magnitude 6.8 quake, with some Moroccans complaining on social media that the government wasn’t allowing more outside help. 

International aid crews were poised to deploy Sunday evening, but some grew frustrated waiting for the government to officially request assistance. They are also struggling to bring machinery to remote areas. 

The Moroccan government says it has accepted assistance from four countries so far - Britain, Spain, Qatar and the UAE, with France announcing it would send 5 million euros Monday morning.

“Morocco is a sovereign country and it is up to it to organize relief,” said French Minister for Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, detailing that Rabat had not refused any aid. 

She warned against creating “false controversy” at a time when “people need help”. 

Aftershocks on Sunday, measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale, were enough to rattle nerves in areas with damaged, unstable buildings, though it is unclear if they caused more casualties. 

“We know there is a great urgency to save people and dig under the remains of