Algiers: A devastating earthquake that rocked northern Algeria last week has killed at least 2,047 people, the official news agency reported on May 25.

Some 8,626 were injured on May 21 temblor that flattened villages East of the capital.

The number of dead could rise as bodies are being pulled out of the rubble. Hakim Mohand, of the Algerian civil protection unit in Algiers, said on May 24 that he believed the death toll could be around 3,000.

Hope of finding survivors was quickly evaporating. Officials said further rescue operation was unlikely more than 72 hours after a quake, and British officials said they would soon pull out rescue workers and replace them with relief and recovery experts.

ANI