An intense 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco Friday night, killing around 300 people.
The quake occurred 44 miles (71 km) southwest of Marrakesh at a depth of 18.5 kilometres at 11:11 p.m. (2211 GMT), according to the US Geological Survey.
It was also felt down the coast in Rabat, Casablanca, and Essaouira.
In a statement, the interior ministry of Morocco said, “The earthquake killed 296 people in the provinces and municipalities of Al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant, according to a preliminary report”.
It was also reported that 153 individuals were hurt.
A video circulating on social media shows a section of a minaret collapsing on the medieval city’s iconic Jemaa el-Fna square, injuring two people.
According to the Interior Ministry, officials have mobilized all necessary resources to intervene and assist the affected areas.
Marrakesh hospitals apparently observed a massive influx of injured persons.
Residents in Marrakesh have been asked to donate blood for individuals who have been harmed by the regional blood transfusion center.
The USGS’s PAGER system, which offers preliminary earthquake impact assessments, issued an orange signal for economic losses, indicating that considerable damage is probable.
According to the US government agency, previous situations with this warning level necessitated a regional or national response.
The population in this region lives in structures that are highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking, according to the USGS.
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