killing more than 1000 people, destroying buildings and setting off a scramble to rescue those trapped under the debris.

The magnitude 6.8 quake struck less than 50 miles from the ancient city of Marrakesh, a popular tourist destination.

The room started shaking.

There's no other way. We just going backwards and forwards and everything started moving and pictures started moving,

and so we just grabbed some clothes and our bags and we raced out.

Along with the collapsed buildings, a historic mosque was damaged but Marrakesh escaped the worst of it.

Rural areas that are difficult to access suffered the most severe damage, officials said.

Tremors were felt across the country and as far away as Portugal.

Officials said the timing of the quake which hit at 11:11 pm when most people were home also made things worse.

Video showed residents and tourists clearing restaurants and spilling out onto the streets shortly after the quake.

Efforts to rescue residents trapped under the debris are underway.

With many more injured and in critical condition, authorities said they expected the death toll to rise.

According to the US geological survey, earthquakes in Morocco are uncommon but not unexpected.

However, there has been none of this size within about 310 miles of Friday's quake since 1900.