A massive earthquake that hit Morocco late Friday killed more than 600 people, according to interior ministry data, sending panicked locals fleeing their houses in the middle of the night.
The 6.8-magnitude quake struck 72 kilometres (45 miles) southwest of tourist hub Marrakesh at 11:11 p.m. (2211 GMT), according to the US Geological Survey.
Strong earthquakes were also detected in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca, and Essaouira.
“We felt a very violent tremor, and I realised it was an earthquake,” Abdelhak El Amrani, a 33-year-old in Marrakesh, told AFP by telephone.
“I could see buildings moving. We don’t necessarily have the reflexes for this type of situation. Then I went outside and there were a lot of people there. People were all in shock and panic. The children were crying and the parents were distraught.”
“The power went out for 10 minutes, and so did the (telephone) network, but then it came back on,” he added. “Everyone decided to stay outside.”
According to the most recent interior ministry estimates, the quake killed 632 individuals, with more than half of them dying in the provinces of Al-Haouz and Taroudant. The government also reported deaths in the provinces of Ouarzazate, Chichaoua, Azilal, and Youssoufia, as well as in Marrakesh, Agadir, and the Casablanca area.
According to the government, 329 individuals were hurt, with 51 critically injured.
cc: Vanguard Ng
