A strong earthquake of magnitude 6.8 has struck central Morocco, killing at least 632 people, the country's interior ministry says.

 Morocco earthquake: 632 killed as buildings damaged

A strong earthquake of magnitude 6.8 has struck central Morocco, killing at least 632 people, the country's interior ministry says.

The epicentre was in the High Atlas Mountains, 71km (44 miles) south-west of Marrakesh, at a depth of 18.5km, the US Geological Survey said.

The quake struck at 23:11 local time (22:11 GMT) on Friday. There was a 4.9 aftershock 19 minutes later.

People died in Marrakesh and several areas to the south, the ministry said.

Many of the victims are believed to be in remote areas.

The interior ministry said the earthquake killed people in the provinces and municipalities of al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant, adding that at least 329 people have been injured.

1. More than 600 people have died after a powerful earthquake struck central Morocco, according to the country's interior ministry
2. The quake - measuring magnitude 6.8 - sent people rushing into the streets in Marrakesh and other cities
3. Many of the deaths were said to be in hard-to-reach mountain areas - and at least 153 people were injured
4. 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
5. Unverified video clips on X (formerly Twitter) show damaged buildings and rubble-strewn streets
6. FULL ARTICLE AT: Morocco earthquake: More than 600 dead after powerful tremors - BBC News

   PS LATEST NEWS: 

1. More than 820 people have died after a powerful earthquake struck central Morocco, according to the country's interior ministry
2. The quake - measuring magnitude 6.8 - sent people rushing into the streets in Marrakesh and other cities
3. Many of the deaths were said to be in hard-to-reach mountain areas - and at least 153 people were injured