Morocco Earthquake: Death Toll Rises To 629, 329 Persons Injured

The death toll rises to 629 while 329 people are found injured in the devastating earthquake that took place in Central Morocco on Friday.

Earlier it was reported that 296 people lost lives after the earthquake of magnitude 6.8 hit North Africa's Central Morocco.

According to Morocco's Interior Ministry, 296 people lost lives due to the quake while 153 injured people were admitted to nearest hospitals for treatment. Most of the damage occurred outside of cities and towns.

Earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 had hit Morocco on Friday night at around 11:11 PM as stated by the The U.S. Geological Survey. While Morocco's National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network measured it at 7 on the Richter scale.

Notably, the epicenter of Friday's tremor was high in the Atlas Mountains roughly 70 kilometers to the south of Marrakech. It was also near Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa and Oukaimeden, a popular Moroccan ski resort.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the epicenter was 18 kilometers (11 miles) below the Earth's surface,

However, no information on casualties have been reported so far by the Moroccan officials.

The intensity of the quake was so big that it could be felt in Portugal and Algeria, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algeria's Civil Defense agency.

According to some some videos shared on social media showed the collapse of at least one building and rubble in the streets.

Some social media clips also showed how people started running out of a shopping centre, restaurants and apartment buildings and congregating outside.

According to a local resident of In Marrakesh said he saw ambulances coming out of the old town and that many building facades were damaged. He also said many people were frightened and were staying outside in case of another quake.