Disaster is “likely widespread” after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the Sud region of southern Haiti at 8:29 a.m., local time, on Saturday, sending people into the streets as buildings toppled in the shaking.
As of Sunday morning, the death toll is over 300, but that number is expected to sharply rise. At least 1,800 others were likely injured in the crumbling of buildings. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) marked the epicenter of the quake about 80 miles (129 km) to the southwest of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, with a depth of around 6 miles (10 km).
“When it comes to medical needs, this is our biggest urgency. We have started to send medications and medical personnel to the facilities that are affected,” Henry said. “For the people who need urgent special care, we have evacuated a certain number of them, and we will evacuate some more today and tomorrow.”
Disaster is “likely widespread” after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the Sud region of southern Haiti at 8:29 a.m., local time, on Saturday, sending people into the streets as buildings toppled in the shaking.
As of Sunday morning, the death toll is over 300, but that number is expected to sharply rise. According to The Associated Press, at least 1,800 others were likely injured in the crumbling of buildings.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) marked the epicenter of the quake about 80 miles (129 km) to the southwest of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, with a depth of around 6 miles (10 km).
One hospital in the southern city of Jeremie said it is overwhelmed with patients.
“There are a lot of people coming in — a lot of people,” an administrator at the Hopital Saint Antoine told CNN. “We don’t have enough supplies.”
The hospital has set up tents in its courtyard, the administrator said.
The earthquake was about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) northeast of Saint-Louis-du-Sud and 10 kilometers deep, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
“There are reports of significant damage to homes, roads, and infrastructure,” American Red Cross spokeswoman Katie Wilkes said.
Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka, whose father is Haitian, will offer all of the winnings she will receive during the Cincinnati tournament to victims of the earthquake in Haiti, she announced on Saturday.
“It really pains me to see all the devastation in Haiti,” tweeted Naomi Osaka. “I am about to participate in a tournament this week and I will give all my financial gains to the aid efforts in Haiti. I know that the blood of our ancestors is strong, we will move forward,” added the player. 23, world number two.
