MOROCCO EARTHQUAKE
What was the epicentre of the Morocco earthquake? What was its magnitude? What areas have been affected?
A devastating earthquake struck the North African country of Morocco late on Friday, killing hundreds, with many more injured.
One of the most devastating earthquakes to ever shake the North African nation of Morocco struck at just after 11:00 p.m. local time (6:00 p.m. ET) on Friday, killing 632 people and injuring another 300 so far, with those figures almost certain to increase with the passing of time.
What was the magnitude of the earthquake and what was the epicenter?
According to data supplied by the Ministry of Interior of Morocco, and reported by Morocco national news agency MAP, the quake measured 6.8 on the Richter scale and hit at 11:11 p.m. local time (6:11 p.m. ET) on Friday.
The United States Geological Survey, an agency of the United States government, pinpointed the earthquake’s epicentre in the town of Ighil, 71 kilometres (44 miles) southwest of Marrakech, Morocco’s fourth largest city. It occurred at a depth of 18.5 kilometres (11.5 miles).
What areas has the earthquake affected?
The Ministry of Interior have reported deaths in numerous prefectures and provinces in Morocco, including Al Haouz, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant. Injured casualties have been transferred to a number of different hospitals, with the Government of Morocco adding that there had also been material damage in non-inhabited areas.
The earthquake was also felt in Western Sahara, Mauritania, Algeria and southern Spain and Portugal.