Powerful earthquake hits Morocco, 296 dead

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.8 has struck central Morocco, leaving huge causalities.

According to the country’s interior ministry, the quake struck at 23:11 local time (22:11 GMT).  The epicentre was in the High Atlas Mountains, 71km (44 miles) south-west of Marrakesh, at a depth of 18.5km.

The country’s interior ministry has said at least 296 people have been killed so far.

According to witnesses, people were seen fleeing in alarm. Some buildings in Marrakesh's old city have collapsed.

Locals are said to have decided to stay outside their homes in case the city is rocked by powerful aftershocks.