Morocco declared three days of mourning after a massive earthquake struck the country late Friday night, killing more than 2,400 people and damaging historic buildings in the North African nation of 37 million. The earthquake affected an area stretching from Marrakesh, a top destination for international travelers, all the way to the Atlas Mountains.

Morocco’s Interior Ministry said Monday that at least 2,497 people had died and more than 2,476 others were injured, in the 6.8-magnitude tremor, the most powerful to have hit the country in decades. 

According to initial reports, more than half of the fatalities from the earthquake were in an area south of Marrakesh. Experts speaking to the UK's Sky News said the death toll could climb "to the thousands."

Hossam Elsharkawi, MENA regional director at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent, told Germany’s Deutsche Welle that it could take up to 48 hours to get aid to remote mountain villages because of damage to roads. He called efforts “a race against time” as cold sets in at high altitudes.