Morocco rocked by major quake, 820 killed

At least 820 people were killed and thousands are injured as a major earthquake hit the picturesque Morocco on Friday night.

The temblor measured 6.8 on the Richter scale, hit six provinces in the country affecting millions of people, reports said.

Reports said that the worst affected areas included al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant. Large-scale devastation has been reported from several parts of the country.

According to the local media reports, the number of deceased could increase as many people were feared trapped under the debris.

According to a survey of the American Geological Survey, the centre of the earthquake was 71 km away from its popular city Marrakesh's south-west zone with the deepest height of 18.5 km.

The timing of the quake was 11:11 as per its local time. After some time, the aftershocks of the earthquake were experienced with intensity of 4.9 on the Richter scale.

Local people of the city had shared the photos and videos of this incident.

“The earthquake has hit six provinces on the Atlas mountains in the centre of Morocco, close to the city of Marrakesh,” a senior Moroccan official said.

He also said that eight to 10 million live in the area affected by the earthquake, mostly living in rural areas and earning money from ecological tourism.

Minister Narendra Modi has offered his sympathy for the victims of the earthquake in Morocco. “Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco,” he said on social media.

“In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.” He said in a message.