On Friday night, a harsh earthquake hit Morocco.
Saturday found Marrakech in a state of shock, counting 820 lives lost.Debris filled Mellahs narrow lanes.
This old Jewish quarter also saw buildings fall and roofs break.It felt like a bomb hit us, said Hafida Sahraouia.Dinner was interrupted by loud sounds.
Hafida and her kids fled their collapsing house.
They found refuge in a nearby square.We dont know where to begin.
Everything is gone, Hafida added.Moroccos Marrakech in Distress After Deadly Quake.
(Photo Internet reproduction)Mbarka El Ghabar, a neighbor, also lost her house.
The roof fell while she and her husband slept.
They escaped just in time.Last night was a nightmare, she recounted.Mbarka and Hafida kept their families safe.
Fatiha Aboualchouak wasnt as lucky.
Her young nephew died.Fatiha, walking with a limp, said, I cant talk about it.Local outlets report its the strongest quake to hit Morocco.
The United States Geological Survey called it a 6.8-magnitude event, centered 71 km southwest of Marrakech.In Marrakech, 13 died according to a quick tally.
Tourists and locals took refuge in the famous Jemaa el-Fna square.Some slept on the ground, while others like Ghannou Najem couldnt sleep at all.I was alone when the quake struck.
I thought I would die by myself, Ghannou said.Rabab Rass, under a comforter, called it her lifes worst event.
I saw folks running.
The dust from the falling structures terrified me, she stated.My heart is with the victims, Rabab added.Other CitiesThe tremor also reached Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, and Esauira.
People there fled to the streets, worried their homes might crumble.This wasnt Moroccos first tragedy when a harsh earthquake hit Morocco.
A 2004 quake in Alhucemas killed 628.
In 1960, Agadir lost a third of its population, over 12,000, to another quake.With information from AFP