Moroccan TV: Death toll from devastating earthquake in Morocco rises to 1037

Rabat -New statistics have revealed that  death toll from the devastating earthquake that hit Morocco this dawn has risen to 1037, the Moroccan TV stated on Saturday.

Earlier information from the Moroccan Interior Ministry said that the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that hit Morocco this dawn killed at least 630 people, injured more than 320, damaged buildings and sent terrified residents to flee their homes into the streets for safety. Of those injured, 51 were in a critical condition.

The powerful earthquake struck the cities of Al Haouz, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant.

A spokesman for the Moroccan General Directorate of Internal Affairs said in a press statement earlier this morning that 290 deaths were recorded in Al Haouz Province, 190 deaths in Taroudant Province, 89 deaths in Chichaoua Province, 30 deaths in Ouarzazate Province, 13 deaths in Marrakesh, 11 deaths in Azilal Province, and 5 deaths in Agadir, 3 deaths in Greater Casablanca, and one death in Youssoufia Province.

The earthquake also caused material damage affecting a number of areas and local authorities and security and civil protection services in all cities and provinces concerned are mobilized to provide the necessary assistance and assess the damage.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the municipality of Ighil, province of Al Haouz.

Hamda Mustafa