Death toll continues to rise in Morocco earthquake disaster

The death toll in Morocco is continuing to rise after a devastating earthquake has left the country in ruins.

Currently it's reported that the 820 people have died, with at least 672 injured.

The epicentre was in the High Atlas Mountains but affected many cities surrounding the area.

Thousands have been forced to leave their homes, with many spending the night outside.

Karin from Andover is currently trying to get home from Marrakech.

She said: "When the earthquake struck I was in bed and there was just this extraordinary roar and the I noticed the shaking.

"My family came out of their rooms and we were all shaking and scared and we didn't know what to do when it stopped.

"The locals were quite scared as well, we all went out onto the street and made our way to what little open space their is in the old town.

"It was just so scary, we had to climb over piles of rubbish and there were thousands of us in this little square and if anything had happened again we would have all just been crushed.

" I thought the locals would be quite used to this but then started talking to them in French and they weren't, they all said they had never experienced an earthquake."

Jason Soars is also in Marrakech and had recently been hiking in the High Atlas Mountains, he said: "The residential areas up there are so remote, I've seen pictures of rock slides and my heart goes out those who will inevitabley be trapped up there.

"When the earthquake happened it felt like it was going on five minutes, and when it stopped we were all worried about what would happen next.

"There's cracks on the wall of my hotel, and masonry all smashed outside."

Rishi Sunak said the UK stands ready to support Morocco after it was hit by a deadly earthquake.

On social media, the Prime Minister said: "My thoughts are with everyone affected by the terrible earthquake in Morocco last night.

"The UK stands ready to support our Moroccan friends."

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has said the UK is supporting British nationals after a deadly earthquake hit Morocco.

He said: "Devastating news of a substantial earthquake just outside Marrakesh, Morocco.

"The UK is continuing to support British nationals in the region.

"We stand ready to help our Moroccan friends in whatever way we can."

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