A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.8 has hit central Morocco, sending individuals dashing into the streets – with unconfirmed studies of casualties.
The epicentre was 71km (44 miles) south-west of Marrakesh at a depth of 18.5 km, the US Geological Survey stated. The quake struck at 23:11 native time (22:11 GMT).
Unverified video clips on X (previously Twitter) present broken buildings and rubble-strewn streets.
Persons are seen fleeing in alarm.
Some buildings in Marrakesh’s outdated metropolis have collapsed, one resident informed the Reuters information company.
Locals are stated to have determined to remain exterior their properties in case the town is rocked by highly effective aftershocks.
One other man within the historic metropolis described feeling a “violent tremor” and seeing “buildings shifting”.
“Folks have been all in shock and panic. The youngsters have been crying and the dad and mom have been distraught,” Abdelhak El Amrani informed the AFP company.
He stated energy and cellphone strains have been down for ten minutes.
AFP additionally reported that one household was trapped within the collapsed rubble of a home – and that plenty of individuals within the metropolis have been taken to hospital.
The quake’s epicentre in a distant space of the Excessive Atlas Mountains was comparatively shallow – and tremors have been additionally reportedly felt within the capital Rabat, some 350km away, in addition to Casablanca and Essaouira.
There was no quick remark from the nation’s officers.
