MOROCCO STRONGEST EARTHQUAKE, WITH A MAGNITUDE OF 6 8, AT LEAST 820 PEOPLE REPORTED DEAD

A severe earthquake has struck the southwest of Morocco, resulting in at least 820 casualties according to media reports. The number of fatalities following the powerful earthquake in Morocco is reportedly increasing. State television, citing the Ministry of Interior, reported that at least 820 people have lost their lives. Previously, the figure had been reported as 632 fatalities. Additionally, at least 672 individuals have been injured, as per the same sources. The country was shaken by the significant earthquake during the night on Saturday. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the magnitude 6.8 quake was located approximately 72 kilometers southwest of Marrakech in the sparsely populated Atlas Mountains, at a depth of 18.5 kilometers. Images and videos from social media show damaged buildings and people sitting on the streets. The initial tremor occurred at 23:11 local time (0:11 CEST), with the quake’s depth recorded at 18.5 kilometers. The Geofon at the He