A powerful earthquake struck Morocco late Friday night, killing hundreds of people, destroying buildings and sending residents of major cities rushing from their homes.

At the time of writing, at least 2000 people had died, mostly in Marrakesh and five provinces near the epicentre of the magnitude 6.8 quake.

More than 2000 people have been injured, many of them critically, according to the latest official figures.

Casualty figures were expected to rise more as the search continues and rescuers reach remote areas.

The earthquake was also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca and Essaouira.

Aljazeera/Agencies.