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A catastrophic Morocco earthquake has left over 800 lives lost. And a trail of destruction remains. Local residents and tourists were shocked when the quake hit the country late Friday night.

The 6.8-magnitude earthquake, originating 45 miles southwest of the beloved tourist destination Marrakesh, struck at 11:11 PM local time (6 PM EDT) on Friday, as reported by the US Geological Survey.

 Its powerful tremors reverberated through the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca, and Essaouira, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.

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Marrakesh hit hard by Morocco Earthquake

The devastation was most severe in Marrakesh, where buildings crumbled, streets fractured, and lives were tragically cut short. The death toll stands at 820 and is expected to climb as search and rescue teams continue to extract bodies from the debris.

An Interior Ministry official confirmed widespread damage to several buildings in the affected areas, though specific figures remain unavailable at this time. The aftermath of this earthquake has left hundreds more injured and countless homes destroyed.

The Moroccan army and local authorities have mobilized all available resources to provide assistance and assess the extent of the damage. State news agency MAP reported ongoing efforts to support those affected.

Nasser Jabour, the director of the National Institute of Geophysics, revealed that the earthquake's impact extended as far as 250 miles from its epicenter. He noted that this event marked the first occurrence of such a violent earthquake in Morocco in a century, with hundreds of aftershocks continuing to rattle the region.

The earthquake unleashed widespread panic among residents and tourists, with reports of people fleeing their homes and seeking refuge in the open streets.

Marrakesh, Nasser Jabour, and other cities were gripped by fear, and the tremors even reached as far as Rabat and Casablanca, as reported by the local newspaper Le Matin.

In response to the disaster, hospitals in Marrakesh urgently appealed for blood donations to aid the injured. Trapped individuals remain a concern as rescue efforts persist, with Moroccan media reporting on the ongoing search for survivors amidst the rubble.

The international community has swiftly extended its condolences and support to Morocco in the face of this tragedy. 

U.S. President Joe Biden offered his condolences and solidarity with the Moroccan people, stating, "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by this terrible hardship." He pledged to work closely with Moroccan officials to ensure the safety of American citizens in the region and provide any necessary assistance.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who experienced devastating earthquakes in his own country earlier this year, expressed his sympathy and support for Morocco.

Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria claimed the lives of nearly 25,000 people in February.

The last major earthquake to strike Morocco was in 2004, with a 6.4-magnitude tremor claiming the lives of more than 600 people.