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Morocco quake toll tops 1,000: interior ministry

September 09, 2023 / 5:40 PM
Image for the title: Morocco quake toll tops 1,000: interior ministry
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A woman looks at the rubble of a building in the earthquake-damaged old city in Marrakesh
Sharjah 24 - AFP: Morocco's deadliest earthquake in decades has killed over 1,000 people, authorities said Saturday, causing widespread damage and sending terrified residents and tourists scrambling to safety in the middle of the night.
A total of 1,037 people have been confirmed dead, while 1,204 people were injured, of whom 721 are in a critical condition, interior ministry statement said.

The 6.8-magnitude quake struck a mountainous area 72 kilometres (45 miles) southwest of tourist hotspot Marrakesh at 11:11 pm (2211 GMT) Friday, the US Geological Survey reported.

Strong tremors were also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca and Essaouira.

It is the strongest-ever quake to hit the North African kingdom, and one expert described it as the region's "biggest in more than 120 years".

The ministry also recorded deaths in Ouarzazate, Chichaoua, Azilal and Youssoufia provinces, as well as in Marrakesh, Agadir and the Casablanca area.
 
September 09, 2023 / 5:40 PM

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