Dozens of individuals have been killed following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Morocco, officers have stated.

Many of the fatalities are stated to be in hard-to-reach areas south of Marrakech.

The earthquake struck late on Friday - damaging buildings in main cities and sending panicked folks pouring into the streets.

Witnesses in Marrakech advised the Reuters news company that some buildings have collapsed within the metropolis, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Local tv stations broadcast footage of a fallen mosque minaret, with rubble mendacity on smashed automobiles.

According to the al Arabiya news channel, 5 of these killed have been members of the identical household.

Hamid Afkir, a instructor in a mountainous space west of the epicentre, stated: "The earth shook for about 20 seconds. Doors opened and shut by themselves as I rushed downstairs from the second floor."

Aftershocks have been reported - with males, girls and youngsters staying out within the streets.