Haiti's civil defense agency said about 1,297 people lost their lives and over 5,700 were injured after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the country.
The epicenter of Saturday’s quake was 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) northeast of Saint-Louis-du-Sud at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles).
BREAKING: 1,297 people have died in Haiti earthquake
— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) August 16, 2021
The US Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami alert in the region warning that waves could rise 3 meters (9.8 feet). The alert was later lifted.
A magnitude-5.2 aftershock was felt and more aftershocks are expected in the coming days, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
Officials said the USGS recorded nine aftershocks since the main earthquake.
The country, which has suffered huge devastation and tremors, has called for international help.
One of the world’s most deadly earthquakes in the last century occurred in Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010.
Our search and rescue team has arrived in Port-au-Prince, and will join search operations in southwestern #Haiti as soon as possible. https://t.co/mcgXfP2sXM
— Samantha Power (@PowerUSAID) August 16, 2021
According to official figures, 316,000 people died and 300,000 were injured in the magnitude-7.0 quake that occurred in the south of the country.
About 1.3 million people were left homeless in the aftermath.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
