Magnitude 7.2 earthquake strikes Haiti: more than 700 dead and several aftershocks

Port-au-Prince – More than 700 people were killed in a devastating earthquake in Haiti. The disaster agency announced on Sunday that 724 bodies have been recovered so far. Hundreds of people are still missing, and more than 2,800 people were injured in Saturday’s 7.2-magnitude quake. The Austrian Red Cross (WCC) expected an increase in casualties and casualties.

The earthquake hit Haiti at a time when the extremely poor country is going through a serious political crisis. This was triggered by the deadly attack on President Jovenel Moise in early July.

📽️ Video | Strong aftershocks in Haiti

The epicenter of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake was near the village of Petite-Trou de Nieps, 150 km west of the capital, Port-au-Prince, at a depth of 10 km, the USGS announced. And I felt it even Cuba and Jamaica. The main earthquake occurred around 8:30 am local time, followed by several aftershocks. According to eyewitnesses, no serious damage was initially noticed in Port-au-Prince. An initial tsunami warning was raised shortly thereafter. .

The earthquake caused severe damage to several cities. Several buildings have collapsed, including a multi-storey hotel in the town of Les Cayes. Many residents participated in the rescue work. The civil defense said that thanks to the quick reaction of rescue workers and citizens, many people buried alive were rescued. Prime Minister Ariel Henry declared a month-long state of emergency in the four administrative regions affected by the earthquake. He appealed to residents to “show solidarity” and not panic.

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The United States offered immediate assistance

However, there are only a few hospitals in the earthquake-affected area. The Ministry of Health sent staff and medicine, but relief operations were disrupted by the unstable security situation. The only road connecting the stricken area is through the slum of Martissant in Port-au-Prince, where criminal gangs have taken control since the beginning of June.

The United States offered emergency aid. President Joe Biden said he was “sad” that an earthquake struck Haiti at an already difficult time. According to him, the United States wants to help rescue the wounded and rebuild. Several Latin American countries, as well as Spain, also promised quick aid.

📽️ Video | Searching for survivors in Haiti:

Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka, whose father is from Haiti, has announced that she will donate proceeds from the upcoming tournament in Cincinnati to earthquake relief. “It really hurts to see all the devastation that is currently taking place in Haiti,” she wrote on Twitter. “I was in the house when it started shaking,” said 21-year-old Christella St Helier, a resident of the town of La Sele, the epicenter. “A piece of the wall fell on me, but I didn’t get too hurt.”

The earthquake was stronger than the devastating earthquake in January 2010, which killed more than 200,000 people and injured more than 300,000 others in Haiti. About 1.5 million people became homeless at that time. The damage to homes and infrastructure was enormous.

The Austrian Red Cross helps with 75,000 euros

Haiti – the poorest country on the American continent – has not yet recovered from the effects of the earthquake. The country has plunged deeper into crisis since last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, an increase in gang crime and the attempted assassination of President Moise.

The Austrian Red Cross announced in a broadcast on Sunday that 75,000 euros from the disaster fund will be provided to support the victims. “Please help me, too,” Secretary-General Michael Obreznigg asked. The earthquake hit the area hard hit by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. “We fear that the number of casualties and losses will be further corrected. Hospitals are already overburdened and the many aftershocks make the ongoing activities very difficult,” Obressnig predicted. (APA/dpa/Reuters/AFP)