Panic Among Residents After Earthquake in Northern Morocco

An earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale struck several areas in the Azilal and Beni Mellal regions of Morocco this morning, Tuesday, causing no material damage, but instilling panic among residents. Local newspaper "Hespress" reported a local official from Azilal stating that several residents in the Aït Mahmod community felt the tremor, prompting many to rush outside their homes for fear of stronger aftershocks. Sources from Hespress indicated that the earthquake, which occurred this morning in areas of Azilal and Beni Mellal, did not result in any material losses, but did create a state of alarm among the population.