A 6.8 magnitude earthquake was also felt in Algeria, Spain and Portugal
The strong earthquake that hit Morocco on the night of Friday 9th caused over 800 deaths and almost 700 injuries, according to a report released by the Ministry of the Interior on state TV.
The 6.8 magnitude quake lasted about 15 seconds and hit villages and large cities, such as Marrakesh. According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake was also felt in Algeria, Spain and Portugal.
Authorities said the death toll could rise and rescuing survivors would be difficult. The earthquake’s epicenter was in a mountainous region, making access difficult. There are reports of people trapped under the rubble.
Local media reported that roads leading to the mountainous region around the epicenter were packed with vehicles and blocked by collapsed rocks.
In a report to a news agency EFE, Spaniard Sofía Catalá, who lives in central Marrakesh, said that “the earth began to shake like a bombardment.” “I thought the building was going to collapse, now everyone is on the street in their pajamas,” she added. A few minutes after the earthquake, Catalá said from the street that everyone in her building had left and that some objects had fallen from the balconies. The earthquake also opened a chasm in a house and a car was almost buried by pieces of a collapsed building,” she explained.
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*With information provided by Estadão Conteúdo
Source: Terra
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