At least 296 people killed in Morocco due to Powerful earthquake

WORLD, Sept. 09 (YPA) – At least 296 people were killed in the provinces and prefectures of El Haouz, Marrakech and Ouarzazate due to a powerful  earthquake that struck Morocco, the country’s interior ministry said in a statement.

An earthquake was recorded on Friday evening at about 11:11 minutes, with a magnitude of 7 degrees on the Richter scale, whose center was determined by the “Egil” group in the province of Al-Haouz.

The quake was recorded on Friday at 11:11 p.m. (2211 GMT), with a magnitude of 7 degrees on the Richter scale.

The epicenter of  tremor was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, roughly 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) south of Marrakech.

153 injured people were sent to hospitals for treatment, the ministry added.

According to the ministry, most damage occurred outside of cities and towns.

The local authorities, security services and civil protection were mobilized in all the provinces and regions of the Kingdom, and harnessed all means and capabilities in order to intervene, provide the necessary assistance, and assess the damage.

On this occasion, the ministry of interior called on citizens to remain calm and avoid panic.

E.M