Nearly 300 people have died after a powerful 6.8 magnitude hit Morocco late on Friday night, country’s Interior Ministry said. The death toll is most likely to rise further. The epicentre, according to Al Jazeera, was 72 kilometres west of Marrekesh, which is a major economic centre. The red walls which surround the old city and are a UNESCO World Heritage site have also been damaged.
As per the US Geological Survey, the quake initially had a magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 11:11 pm and the shaking lasted several seconds. Whereas, the National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network of Morocco measured the earthquake to be at 7 on the Richter scale.
The US agency said that a 4.9 magnitude aftershock hit the country 19 minutes after the first quake. As per the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algeria’s Civil Defense agency, the quake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria.
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Sep 09, 2023 08:23 AM IST
Morocco Earthquake LIVE | ‘Exrtremely pained…India ready to offer assistance’: PM Modi offers condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, “Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time.”
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Sep 09, 2023 08:07 AM IST
At least 296 dead in powerful earthquake: Official
At least 296 dead in Morocco quake, Interior Minister says.
AFP
