Earthquake in Haiti causes heavy damage, leaves more than 300 dead, 1,800 wounded

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit southwestern Haiti on Saturday has claimed more than 300 lives and has left 1,800 people injured, authorities said.

According to media reports, the deadly earthquake in Haiti struck the country at roughly 8:30 a.m. local time, some 7.5 miles northeast of Saint-Louis-du-Sud, and more than 90 miles west of the capital.

Then, 20 minutes later the first quake, a 5.2-magnitude tremor struck the island.

Videos and pictures from social media show ruined buildings and distressed voices shouting as the masses reel from the disaster.

At least 949 homes, seven churches, two hotels and three schools have been destroyed, reports added.

Furthermore, 723 homes, one prison, three health centers and seven schools have been damaged although there was no major damage to the port and airport.

“There are a lot of people coming in — a lot of people,” an administrator at the Hospital Saint Antoine told. “We don’t have enough supplies.”

Media reports further stated that the nearest big town was Les Cayes, where many buildings collapsed or suffered major damage.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who flew to examine the damage, declared a month-long state of emergency.

“I extend my sympathies to the parents of the victims of this violent earthquake which caused several losses of human and material lives in several geographical departments of the country,” said Haiti’s new prime minister.

He later added: “The most important thing is to recover as many survivors as possible under the rubble. We have learned that the local hospitals, in particular that of Les Cayes, are overwhelmed with wounded, fractured people.”

On the other hand, swaths of Haiti are suffering from starvation, whereas, healthcare services are already overwhelmed by COVID-19.