Rescue teams were combing the rubble of mud-and-stone houses today after a massive earthquake killed more than 550 people in a desperately poor region of northern Morocco.

MORE THAN 300 people, mainly woman, children and the elderly, died as they slept when a powerful earthquake struck northern Morocco in the early hours yesterday.

A powerful earthquake struck as northern Morocco slept early today, toppling houses and killing at least 300 people, local authorities said.

A powerful earthquake struck northern Morocco overnight, toppling houses and killing at least 86 people. It was feared the toll could rise to at least 200.