Tunis — Tunisia on Saturday offered its condolences and sympathy to the Moroccan people and their bereaved families following the violent earthquake which struck several regions of Morocco on Friday night, killing and injuring several people.

Tunisia stands by the side of the brotherly Moroccan people and shares their feelings of sadness at this painful ordeal, beseeching the Almighty to bestow a prompt recovery on the injured and mercy on the victims and welcome them into his vast paradise, reads a Presidency of the Republic press release.

Tunisia also expresses its full and total solidarity with the brotherly Moroccan people at this painful time and its willingness to support Morocco's efforts in the search and rescue operations.

President of the Republic Kaïs Saïed gave instructions to coordinate with the Moroccan authorities to send emergency aid and civil protection teams to support rescue and relief operations, the same source added.

A delegation from the Tunisian Red Crescent is also expected to go there to take part in operations to care for the injured, on the instructions of the President of the Republic.

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck several regions of Morocco on Friday evening, killing 820 people and injuring a further 2,000.