The earthquake’s epicenter was located in the High Atlas Mountains, approximately 71 kilometers (44 miles) southwest of Marrakesh, as reported by the US Geological Survey.
The affected region is characterized by small farming villages, many of which have been severely impacted by the earthquake. The al-Haouz province is among the hardest-hit areas.
Significant damage was also observed in some parts of Marrakesh’s historic medina, a UNESCO heritage site, and its intricate network of alleyways.
This earthquake represents the most significant seismic event in the area in over a century, making it quite unusual for Morocco.
Rémy Bossu, the director of the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, indicated that aftershocks are expected to persist for several days, possibly even weeks, as he shared with the BBC.