Haiti earthquake death toll mounts to 304; rescue ops underway

A severe earthquake of 7.2 magnitude struck southwest Haiti on Saturday, killing nearly 304 people and destroying residences and prompting scared inhabitants to flee their houses, confirmed Jerry Chandler, the chief of the country's civil protection agency. At least 1,800 people have sustained injuries following the quake.  

Addressing a press conference on Saturday evening, Chandler have details about the numbers of the injured persons in different places across Haiti. The official said that 160 people were killed in Haiti's southern department; 42 in Nippes, 100 in Grand Anse and 2 in the northwestern region of the nation. 

The agency gave some information via Twitter saying that the initial actions, which were carried out by both professional rescuers and members of the public, helped many individuals to be pulled out from the wreckage. The wounded are still being treated at hospitals. 

More about Haiti quake

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake struck on Saturday morning 12 km (7.4 miles) northeast of Saint-Louis du Sud, on Haiti’s southern Tiburon Peninsula, at a shallow depth of 10km (6.2 miles).

Taking to his Twitter handle, Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry said that a one-month state of emergency will be issued by the government. He stated that appropriate measures will be given to anyone harmed by the "violent earthquake" and the government will try to act quickly.   

The PM further said that medical requirements are their biggest urgency, adding that sending of medical drugs has been started by the government. Moreover, medical professionals have been positioned in the affected areas. The specific number of patients, who require immediate medical care, have been evacuated and rescue operations are currently underway. 

It has been stated that the Western Department along with Southern Department, Nippes, and Grand'Anse will be under a state of emergency. 

Previous Haiti quakes 

Earlier in Haiti, a 5.9 magnitude of earthquake hit in 2018, killing over a dozen people, while a huge 7.1 earthquake magnitude of earthquake tool place in 2010, damaging much of the capital and killing nearly people. 

According to the National Hurricane Centre, the tropical storm Grace is expected to hit Haiti on late Monday night or soon Tuesday morning. 

(Image Credit: AP)