Rabat, September 9: The death toll from the powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck central Morocco has gone past 1000, with nearly 700 people in critical condition, according to reports on Saturday.
Morocco's Interior Ministry said in a statement that the fatalities were reported from the provinces and municipalities of Al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant.
The epicentre was in the High Atlas Mountains
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 tremors were also reportedly felt in the capital Rabat
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.
