Nearly 300 people were killed after a powerful earthquake rattled Morocco Friday night in the provinces and municipalities of Al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant," Morocco’s interior ministry said in a statement.
Another 153 people were injured, it added.
The quake struck 44 miles (71 kilometres) southwest of tourist hotspot Marrakesh at a depth of 18.5 kilometres at 11:11 pm (2211 GMT), the US Geological Survey said.
Hospitals in Marrakesh reportedly saw a "massive influx" of injured people.
The regional blood transfusion centre in Marrakesh has called on residents to donate blood for those injured
