Haiti Earthquake Update: Haiti's civil defense agency has announced that the death toll from a massive 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Haiti has risen to 1419. Haiti's Civil Protection Service said in a tweet that 1,054 people were killed in Sud, 122 in Nippes, 119 in Grand Anse, and two in Nord-Ouest.
Cities are devastated and hospitals are full of patients
Tremors were felt throughout the day and continued till night. Homeless people and those whose houses are on the verge of collapse spent the night in the open on the streets. The cities are devastated and hospitals are filled with patients. The Prime Minister has declared a month-long state of emergency across the country and said he will not seek international help until the damage is assessed.
'It is necessary to work together- PM Henry
Prime Minister Ariel Henry said it was necessary to 'work together' to face the 'extremely serious situation' after the earthquake, Xinhua news agency reported. "I met the earthquake victims," he said. "Doctors, rescuers, and paramedics are arriving from the airport to provide assistance."
"This is a harsh and sad reality that we must face with courage," the Prime Minister said on Twitter. He said various teams are on the field to 'assist the victims'. He called for swift action to deal with the crisis.
First corona, then an earthquake, and now storm
On Saturday, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the southwestern part of Haiti, about 150 km from the capital of Port-au-Prince. Many cities have been completely devastated by the earthquake and landslides are affecting rescue operations. The earthquake has increased the suffering of the people of Haiti, who were already badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The crisis could escalate even more because Tropical Storm Grace could reach Haiti today.