RABAT, Morocco (AP) — A powerful earthquake that struck Morocco late Friday evening killed at least 296 people, according to the country’s Interior Ministry.
Moroccans have posted videos showing buildings reduced to rubble and parts of the famous red walls surrounding the Old City in historic Marrakesh, a UNESCO World Heritage site, damaged. Tourists and others posted videos of screaming people evacuating restaurants in the city as club music played.
According to the US Geological Survey, the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it struck at 11:11 p.m. (22:11 GMT), with shaking lasting several seconds. The Moroccan National Network for Seismic Monitoring and Warning measured a value of 7 on the Richter scale. The US authorities reported an aftershock measuring 4.9 19 minutes later.
This is a recent update. AP’s earlier story follows below.
RABAT, Morocco (AP) — A strong earthquake struck Morocco late Friday, damaging buildings in major cities and sending panicked people into the streets and alleys from the capital Rabat to Marrakesh, the county’s most visited tourist destination.
Local media reported that the quake damaged buildings and left dozens dead. There was no official confirmation of any deaths or injuries.
Moroccans have posted videos showing buildings reduced to rubble and parts of the famous red walls surrounding the Old City in historic Marrakesh, a UNESCO World Heritage site, damaged. Tourists and others posted videos of screaming people evacuating restaurants in the city as club music played.
After many earthquakes, especially those that occurred in the middle of the night, it often takes a while for reports of damage and possible casualties to be received.
Instead of returning to the concrete buildings, men, women and children remained on the streets, fearful of aftershocks and other aftershocks that could cause their homes to sway.
According to the US Geological Survey, the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it struck at 11:11 p.m. (22:11 GMT), with shaking lasting several seconds. The Moroccan National Network for Seismic Monitoring and Warning measured a value of 7 on the Richter scale. The US authorities reported an aftershock measuring 4.9 19 minutes later.
Fluctuations in early measurements are common, although any reading would be the strongest in Morocco in years. Although earthquakes are relatively rare in North Africa, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake occurred near Agadir in 1960, killing thousands.
The epicenter of Friday’s quake was high in the Atlas Mountains, about 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) south of Marrakesh. It was also close to Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, and Oukaimeden, a popular Moroccan ski resort.
According to the USGS, the epicenter was 18 kilometers (11 miles) below the Earth’s surface, while the Moroccan Seismological Authority said it was 8 kilometers (5 miles) deep.
Aside from reports about the magnitude of the quake, neither Moroccan officials nor MAP, Morocco’s official news agency, had released any information about casualties or damage as of early Saturday. Government officials typically use the agency to convey information about important matters.
According to the Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere and the Algerian Civil Protection Authority, which is responsible for emergency response, the quake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria.