Morocco hit with massive earthquake. More than 600 killed.

Morocco was hit with powerful earthquake at the late hours of Friday night killing at least 632 people and around 329 injured, said the interior ministry.

The casualty is expected to raise as the rescue continues. Remote and hilly areas effected the most and rescue mission may require more time.

The epicenter of Friday’s tremor was near the town of Ighil in Al Houz Province which is roughly 70 km (43.5 miles) from the south of Marrakech, a tourist hotspot. As per Morocco”s Interior Ministry, the provinces of Al – Houze, Quarzazate, Marrakech, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taraoudant .

The earthquake is reported to spread from the villages of Atlas Mountain to the historic city of Marrakech, destroying several buildings and red walls of Marrakech, UNESCO World Heritage site.

According to US Geological Survey, the earthquake happened at 11.11 pm and lasted for several seconds. The survey reads the magnitude to be 6.8 on Richter scale. National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network of Morocco reported the earthquake to be at 7 on the Richter scale.

The US agency also said a tremor of 4.9 hit the country 19 minutes after the first quake.
Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere said the quake felt as far as Portuguese. Algeria”s Civil Defence Agency also reported sensing the quake at Algeria. Fearing further tremors tourists and locals alike took refuge in streets.