Powerful earthquake strikes Morocco, killing 296 people

A massive earthquake slammed Morocco late Friday night, September 8, killing hundreds of people and destroying buildings and villages.

According to Morocco’s Interior Ministry, at least 296 people were killed, the majority of them died in Marrakech and five regions near the quake’s epicenter. Another 153 individuals were injured and were taken to hospitals.

The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it struck at 11:11 p.m. (2211 GMT), with shaking that lasted several seconds, according to the US Geological Survey. A magnitude-4.9 aftershock struck 19 minutes later, according to the US agency.

READ ALSO: Buhari, Weah, Biden, Moroccan PM Watches France-Morroco World Cup Match [Photos]

The epicenter of Friday’s tremor was about 70 kilometers away in Al Haouz Province, near the town of Ighil.

The USGS estimated the epicenter to be 18 kilometers (11 miles) below the Earth’s surface, whereas Morocco’s seismic service estimated it to be 11 kilometers (7 miles) below the surface, citing the dangers of such shallow quakes.

The terrifying aftermath of the earthquake was seen on Moroccan television, with many people staying outside for fear of aftershocks.

Videos showed a huge hole in a house, a car virtually buried by the rubble of a fallen building, and baskets, buckets, and clothing scattered among the ruins of one building.

Other photographs circulated online showed people running and screaming near Marrakech’s 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque, a famous monument. The mosque was damaged, according to Moroccan media, but the extent of the damage was not immediately known.

Kanyidaily recalls that Morocco was the first African team to reach World Cup semifinals and it generated lots of reactions.