Earthquake in Morocco kills more than 1,000 individuals

* Above video is a recent story about an ODOT electronic camera capturing a minor earthquake in NE Ohio *.

MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) - - A rare, effective earthquake struck Morocco, sending out people racing from their beds into the darkened streets and toppling structures in ancient cities and mountainous towns not built to endure such force. More than 1,000 individuals were killed, and the toll was anticipated to rise as rescuers had a hard time Saturday to make it through boulder-strewn roadways to the remote areas hit hardest.

The magnitude-6.8 quake, the greatest to hit the North African nation in 120 years, sent out individuals fleeing their houses in fear and disbelief late Friday. One male said meals people were knocked off their feet. The enormity of the destruction appeared in the daytime.

The quake lowered walls made from stone and masonry not developed to withstand quakes, covering entire communities with debris and leaving locals choosing their method precariously through remains. Rescuers overcame the night to find survivors buried in the dusty ruins.

Fathers sobbed into phones informing loved ones about losing their kids. Bodies covered with blankets lay in the health center next to a mosque as doctors pulled fragments from individuals's feet and treated surface area injuries.

" There's nothing to pray however do," stated Hamza Lamghani, who lost 5 of his closest good friends.

People might be seen on state TV clustering in the streets of historical Marrakech, afraid to return inside buildings that may still be unsteady. Many covered themselves in blankets as they attempted to sleep outdoors.

Marrakech's well-known Koutoubia Mosque, integrated in the 12th century, was harmed, however the degree was not right away clear. Its 69-meter (226-foot) turret is known as the "roofing of Marrakech." Moroccans also posted videos revealing damage to parts of the popular red walls that surround the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage website.

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At least 1,037 people passed away, mainly in Marrakech and five provinces near the quake's center, and another 1,204 people were injured, Morocco's Interior Ministry reported Saturday early morning. Of the hurt, the ministry wrote, 721 were in critical condition.

" The problem is that where destructive earthquakes are unusual, structures are simply not built robustly enough to deal with strong ground shaking, a lot of collapses, resulting in high casualties," said Bill McGuire, teacher emeritus of geophysical and environment threats at University College London. "I would expect the last death toll to climb up into the thousands again is known. As with any big quake, aftershocks are likely, which will result in more casualties and impede search and rescue.".

In an indication of the big scale of the catastrophe, Morocco's King Mohammed VI ordered the militaries to activate air and land possessions, specialized search and rescue groups and a surgical field medical facility, according to a declaration from the armed force. Despite a profusion of offers of help from around the world, the Moroccan federal government had not formally asked for assistance, a step required prior to outdoors rescue teams could release.

Ayoub Toudite stated he had actually been working out with pals at a fitness center in Moulay Brahim, which is sculpted into a mountainside south of Marrakech, when "we felt a substantial shake like it was end ofthe world." In 10 seconds, he said, whatever was gone.

The epicenter of Friday's tremor was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, roughly 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) south of Marrakech. Al Haouz is known for picturesque towns and valleys tucked in the High Atlas, and villages developed into mountainsides.

The U.S. Geological Survey stated the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it struck at 11:11 p.m. (2211 GMT), with shaking that lasted a number of seconds. The U.S. agency reported a magnitude 4.9 aftershock hit 19 minutes later. The collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates happened at a relatively shallow depth, that makes a quake more hazardous.

Earthquakes are relatively unusual in North Africa. Lahcen Mhanni, Head of the Seismic Monitoring and Warning Department at the National Institute of Geophysics, told 2M television that the earthquake was the greatest ever taped in the area.