Morocco Rocked by Strong Earthquake, Damaging Buildings

RABAT, Morocco — A powerful earthquake struck Morocco late Friday, damaging buildings in major cities and sending panicked people pouring into streets and alleyways from Rabat to Marrakesh. There was no immediate reports of any casualties.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 11:11 p.m. Morocco’s National Seismic Monitoring and Alert Network measured it at 7 on the Richter scale.

The epicenter of Friday’s tremor was high in the Atlas Mountains south of Marrakesh and west of Oukaimeden, a popular Moroccan ski resort. It was also near Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa.

Tourists and others posted videos of people evacuating restaurants in Marrakesh as throbbing club music played.