At least 296 people dead after an earthquake in Morocco

A devastating earthquake hit Morocco late on Friday, killing at least 296 people, according to the country's Interior Ministry. The quake caused significant damage to buildings in major cities, causing people to flee into the streets in panic, from Rabat to Marrakech. Videos posted by Moroccans showed several buildings crumbled to rubble. Tourists and locals recorded videos of people rushing out of restaurants in Marrakech, while loud music played in the background.

The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported the earthquake as a magnitude of 6.8, while Morocco's National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network measured it at 7 on the Richter scale. However, such variations in measurements are common in the early stages of an earthquake. Either reading would make this the strongest earthquake Morocco has experienced in years. Although earthquakes are not very common in North Africa, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake near Agadir caused thousands of deaths in 1960.

The epicenter of Friday's earthquake was high in the Atlas Mountains, south of Marrakech and west of Oukaimeden, a popular ski resort in Morocco. It was close to Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. As of early Saturday, Morocco's official news agency, MAP, had not published any information about the earthquake.

By Anita Johnson-Brown

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