Over 800 people are dead and at least 300 are injured following a massive earthquake in Morocco. 

The most recent reports suggest 820 people died during the 6.8 magnitude earthquake overnight. 

At least 329 people were injured and are being treated in hospital. 

There are reports of many buildings reduced to rubble, with major damage in the capital city Rabat and popular tourist destination Marrakesh. 

🚨Breaking News 🚨 A huge magnitude 6.8 earthquake has hit Morocco, striking near the city of Marrakesh, affecting nearby cities all the way to the coast and north. In the past couple of hours around 300 people have died and hundreds more are injured. pic.twitter.com/F41zLYZlbR

— Karim Wafa Al-Hussaini (@DrKarimWafa) September 9, 2023

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

Morocco World News Chief Safaa Kasraoui said residents in cities are fleeing their homes. 

“People feared for their life and rushed to the streets, fearing other cracks that might follow,” she said. 

People take shelter outside their homes after an earthquake in Rabat, Morocco, 08/09/2023. Image: Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo

“It didn't happen, but the death toll is already extremely alarming.” 

Authorities suspect the death toll will rise further as more search operations get underway – particularly in Marrakesh, where many tourists likely were when the earthquake happened.

The US Embassy in Morocco is advising caution for the next 24 hours in case of aftershock, with a tsunami warning for coastal areas.

Additional reporting by IRN.

Main image: People take shelter outside their homes after an earthquake in Rabat, Morocco, 08/09/2023. Image: Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo