A strong 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco southwest of Marrakech on Friday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, triggering strong tremors that sent panic among residents, who fled out of the buildings. The earthquake occurred 71 kilometers southwest of Marrakech at 11:11 p.m. local time.
Much of the city of Marrakech remained in the dark. The first readings on the spot confirm that the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.8, a depth of 10 kilometers, with an epicenter not far from the imperial city.
The epicenter would be between Marrakech and Agadir, giving rise to widespread tremors in Safi, Essaouira, Casablanca, Rabat, Salé, Kenitra, Fez and Meknes, among others. The quake was felt from the city of Marrakech to the capital, Rabat, according to the Moroccan portal Yabiladi.
