Maisie Smith reveals she flew home from Morocco just two days before devastating earthquake as she offers her condolences to victims

Maisie Smith has revealed she flew home from Morocco just two days before the devastating earthquake. 

Morocco’s biggest earthquake in over 120 years struck south of Marrakesh on Friday night, killing at least 632 people and leaving more than 350 injured. 

The earthquake, which measured 7.2 on the Richter scale struck Morocco’s Atlas Mountains and caused tremors as far away as Portugal, has wiped out entire families as witnesses describe hearing ‘unbearable screaming and crying’ and seeing distraught relatives frantically search with their bare hands for buried loved ones.

EastEnders actress Maisie, 22, offered her condolences to those affected by the tragedy as she shared an update to Instagram on Saturday. 

She wrote: ‘I can’t believe it. We only just flew back from this beautiful country just two days ago.’

Awful: The EastEnders actress offered her condolences to those affected by the tragedy as she shared an update to Instagram

She added: ‘My thoughts are with all the victims and the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy.’

Horrific footage shared on social media showed a massive cloud of dust rising in Marrakesh – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and hugely popular tourist town – as buildings collapsed and people fled for their lives. 

In a statement this morning a Moroccan government official said emergency operations are ‘in progress across the country’ and the death toll is expected to rise considerably in the hours and days ahead.

No identities of victims were released as initial figures rose from 300 to 632 overnight. The epicentre was 40 miles south of the tourist city, which is a popular British holiday destination.

The ministry wrote that most damage occurred outside of cities and towns, and the United States Geological Survey warned that the death toll was likely to rise significantly, because rural buildings were not built to sustain such earthquakes. 

Other footage shows rescue attempts are well underway, with locals helping to try and free those trapped using their bare hands. 

But there are warnings the strong quake means it will take time to reach mountain villages and other smaller settlements outside of Morocco’s cities, meaning the true extent of the damage and people harmed remains unknown. 

The Interior Ministry urged calm, saying in its televised statement on the death toll that the quake had hit the provinces of Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Marrakech, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant. Officials added that most of those killed will be in hard to reach settlements outside of the cities.

The British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has advised tourists to follow local media and safety instructions from local authorities, adding that anyone in the UK concerned about a loved one abroad can call the office on 020 7008 5000.