296 People Killed, over 150 Injured as Powerful Earthquake Hits Morocco

 

At least 296 people have been killed following a powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.8 that struck central Morocco.  According to the US Geological Survey, the epicentre of the quake was in the High Atlas Mountains, 71km (44 miles) southwest of Marrakesh, at a depth of 18.5km. “Earthquakes of this size in the region are uncommon but not unexpected. Since 1900, there have been no earthquakes M6 (magnitude 6) and larger within 500 km of this earthquake, and only nine M5 (magnitude 5) and larger earthquakes,” USGS said. Morocco's interior ministry said in a statement their records showed that the earthquake had claimed 296 lives so far in six areas, while another 153 were receiving treatment in hospitals. "According to a provisional report, the earthquake killed 296 people in the provinces and municipalities of al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant," the statement said, adding that 153 people were injured and hospitalised.  Widespread destruction in Morocco Images shared online from footage aired by Al-Aoula TV showed numerous buildings had collapsed following Friday, September 8 night's quake.  Morocco's National Institute of Geophysics warned of aftershocks, forcing citizens to flee their homes in the thousands. The country's interior ministry on Saturday, September 9, urged people to keep calm and to avoid panic. Rashid Al-Khalfi, the general secretary of Internal Affairs at the ministry, said the government had activated its resources to respond to the tragedy. According to the head of the National Geophysics Institute in Morocco, the latest earthquake is the strongest in a century in the country.   BY TUKO NEWS