A strong earthquake of magnitude 6.8 has struck central Morocco, leaving at least 820 people killed and several others injured.

The epicentre was in the High Atlas Mountains, 71km (44 miles) south-west of Marrakesh, at a depth of 18.5km, the US Geological Survey said.

The quake struck at 23:11 local time (22:11 GMT) on Friday, September 8. There was a 4.9 aftershock 19 minutes later, according to BBC news.

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The country’s interior ministry in a statement said people died in Marrakesh and several areas to the south, and many of the victims are believed to be in remote areas.

The interior ministry said the earthquake killed people in the provinces and municipalities of al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant, adding that more than 600 people have been inj¥red.

There are also reports of families trapped under the rubble of their homes in the city, and damage to parts of the Medina.