Earthquake death toll rises to 1300 plus
More than 800 people have been killed after a powerful earthquakeearthquake struck Morocco on Friday night. The quake sent terrified residents fleeing their homes and forced some to spend the night on the streets.
The 6.8 magnitude quakequake struck 72 kilometres southwest of the tourist hotspot of Marrakesh at 11 minutes past 11pm local time, according to the US Geological Survey. Strong tremors were also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca and Essaouira.
The regional blood transfusion centre in Marrakesh has called on the population to donate blood for the injured.
Hundreds of people poured into the streets to spend the night for fear of aftershocks, some with blankets while others slept on the ground.
Moroccan media said it was the strongest earthquake to hit the country. The country’s interior ministry said authorities had mobilised all the necessary resources to intervene and help the affected areas.
Earthquake death toll rises to 1300 plus
The quake was also felt in neighbouring Algeria, where the Algerian Civil Defence said it had caused no damage or casualties.
