Last Updated on August 16, 2021, 3:46 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The death toll from a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on Saturday rose to 1,297, with 5,700 people injured.
Hundreds of buildings were destroyed and displaced thousands as the country begins its rescue missions while the watch of a tropical storm are also on.
There are concerns the death toll could rise as authorities begin to clear up the trash as Tropical Depression Grace is expected to hit Haiti Monday night.
Rescue missions have been hampered by landslides, which could be exacerbated by the next storm that approaches to bring heavy rains, floods and more landslides.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, thousands of homeless and injured survivors were forced to wait outside the terrible heat as hospitals were overcrowded and under resources.
The poor nation is already struggling with the management of the COVID-19 pandemic and the assassination of its president last month.
The earthquake epicentre was about 125km west of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince at a depth of about 10km, said the US Geological Survey.
Haiti was hit with several aftershocks throughout the day and night after the earthquake as many people slept in an open-air football field in Les Cayes.
After the earthquake, Prime Minister Ariel Henry declared a month-long state of emergency.
“We will make the necessary arrangements to help people affected by the earthquake in the southern peninsula,” he tweeted.
“We have to show a lot of solidarity vis-à-vis the emergency. The government is declaring a state of emergency. We will act quickly.”
In 2010, the Caribbean nation was hit by a 7.0 earthquake that killed more than 200,000 people.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
