Breaking: More Than 600 Dead As Powerful Earthquake Hits Morocco

More than 600 people have died after a powerful earthquake struck central Morocco, according to the country’s interior ministry.

The quake – measuring magnitude 6.8 – sent people rushing into the streets in Marrakesh and other cities.

Many of the deaths were said to be in hard-to-reach mountain areas – and at least 153 people were injured.

It struck just after 23:00 local time, at a relatively shallow depth 71km (44 miles) south-west of Marrakesh, according to the US Geological Survey.

Unverified video clips on X (formerly Twitter) show damaged buildings and rubble-strewn streets.

Details later…