A severe earthquake of a magnitude of 6.8 rocked central Morocco, killing at least 820 people and caused widespread damage.
The epicentre was located in the High Atlas Mountains, 71 kilometres (44 miles) south-west of Marrakesh, at a depth of 18.5 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey.
It occurred at 23:11 local time, and was followed by a 4.9 aftershock 19 minutes later.
The epicentre of the quake was in a distant location of the High Atlas Mountains, and vibrations were registered in Rabat, 350 km away, as well as Casablanca and Essaouira.
According to the interior ministry, the earthquake killed persons in the provinces and towns of al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant, and injured over 600 others.
What do we know about the Moroccan earthquake?
‘It was pure anarchy,’ said earthquake survivors.
There have also been tales of residents being trapped in the rubble of their city homes, as well as damage to areas of the Medina, a Unesco World Heritage Site.
One resident told Reuters that some buildings had collapsed. Several clips on X show buildings collapsing, although the BBC has not identified the locations.
The epicentre of the quake was in a distant location of the High Atlas Mountains, and vibrations were registered in Rabat, 350 km away, as well as Casablanca and Essaouira.
Simple structures in mountain settlements near the epicentre may not have survived, and because they are remote, determining casualties there may take some time.
One man said he felt a “violent tremor” and saw “buildings moving.”
“Everyone was in a state of shock and panic.” “The children were crying, and the parents were upset,” AFP’s Abdelhak El Amrani reported.It happened at 23:.11 p.m. local time, and was followed by a 4.9 aftershock 19 minutes later.
He stated that the electricity and phone lines were off for 10 minutes.
Fayssal Badour, a Marrakesh resident, was driving when the earthquake struck.
The epicentre of the quake was in a distant location of the High Atlas Mountains, and vibrations were registered in Rabat, 350 km away, as well as Casablanca and Essaouira.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed “solidarity and support” to the Moroccan people. The news “devastated” French President Emmanuel Macron, who offered Morocco support.