The number of deaths from Friday’s 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Morocco is now estimated to be at least 2,497, according to the BBC on Monday.

Almost four days after the devastating quake occurred on the night of Friday, authorities are still digging through the rubble in search of survivors and bodies buried under debris, some even using their bare hands.

The death toll is expected to rise in the coming days as rescue efforts battle to reach the hardest-hit remote villages near the epicentre in the High Atlas Mountains due to roads being blocked by rocks.

Due to the roadblocks, heavy lifting equipment have been unable to cross into the remote areas. Many still are buried under ruins with locals desperately anticipating aid to reach them.

The Moroccan government said it had accepted aid from Britain, Spain, Qatar and the UAE. Britain sent 60 search and rescue experts, equipment, and four search dogs to support the Moroccan-led operations.

Friday’s quake was the strongest in Morocco’s history in more than 100 years – more than 2,400 people have been injured while many are still missing.