Earthquake : Death toll due to earthquake rises to 1000
The death toll after a powerful 6.8 magnitude quake struck central Morocco late on Friday has reached 1,037, with more than 1,200 injured, the Associated Press (AP) reported quoting the Moroccan government. The quake reduced buildings to rubble. The tremors were felt as far as Spain and Portugal. More than 672 people have suffered injuries. The epicenter of the earthquake is reported to be at Morocco’s High Atlas mountains. Morocco’s geophysical centre said the quake struck in the Ighil area of the High Atlas with a magnitude of 7.2. But the US Geological Survey put the quake’s magnitude at 6.8 and said it was at a relatively shallow depth of 18.5 km (11.5 miles)
The quake struck 44 miles (71 kilometres) southwest of tourist hotspot Marrakesh at a depth of 18.5 kilometres at 11.11 pm (2211 GMT), the US Geological Survey said. Hospitals in Marrakesh reportedly saw a “massive influx” of injured people. According to local media, it was the most powerful earthquake to hit the country to date. The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring Algeria, where the Algerian Civil Defence said it had not caused any damage or casualties.
Earthquake of magnitude 6.8 jolts Morocco, 296 dead
At least 296 people have died after a powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck central Morocco, the Interior Ministry confirmed on Saturday
At least 296 people have died after a powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck central Morocco, the Interior Ministry confirmed on Saturday.
According to the US Geological Survey, the epicentre was in the High Atlas Mountains, 71 km south-west of Marrakesh, at a depth of 18.5 km, the BBC reported.
The quake struck at 11.11 p.m. and videos on social media showed people fleeing on the roads, damaged buildings and rubble-strewn streets.
The tremors were also reportedly felt in the capital Rabat, some 350 km away from the epicentre, as well as the cities of Casablanca and Essaouira.
More details are awaited