Haiti Earthquake: At Least 304 Dead, 1800 Injured in Magnitude 7.2 Quake

At least 304 people were killed and more than 1,800 others injured after a powerful magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. According to the reports, the earthquake that measured 7.2 on the Richter scale, was about 10 kilometres deep and hit 12 kilometres northeast of Saint-Louis-du-Sud.

Haiti's Civil Protection service said that at least 949 homes, seven churches, two hotels and three schools had been destroyed.

The quake resulted in the Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry declaring a 'state of emergency' for one month in the Caribbean country. He said that the quake has caused 'enormous damage' to southern areas of the country.

In a series of tweets, Henry called for solidarity and promised to “mobilize all the resources of my administration to help victims.”

Residents shared images on social media of frantic efforts to pull people from the ruins of caved-in buildings, while screaming bystanders sought safety in the streets outside their homes.

Shortly after the quake, the US Geological Survey (USGS) issued a tsunami alert, saying waves of up to three meters (nearly 10 feet) were possible along the coastline of Haiti, but lifted the warning soon after.

US President Joe Biden expressed his condolences to those affected by the massive earthquake in Haiti, saying that he is “saddened” by the disaster, and authorised an “immediate US response”.