At least 11 dead after 5.9-magnitude earthquake hits Haiti

By MiNDFOOD

A man leans on the space for a window in an unfinished construction in a slum of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, February 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares - RC1340C86E40
A man leans on the space for a window in an unfinished construction in a slum of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, February 6, 2018. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares - RC1340C86E40

An earthquake that struck off the northern coast of Haiti late on Saturday (local time) has killed at least 11 people and injured more than a hundred when several buildings collapsed.

The 5.9-magnitude quake struck near the northernmost tip of Haiti late on Saturday, causing damage to buildings, including an auditorium that collapsed and a hospital, authorities and media reported. At least 11 people have been reported dead and more than 100 wounded.

Tremors were reportedly felt in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, as well as in neighboring Dominican Republic and in eastern Cuba.

On Sunday, President Jovenel Moïse visited the coastal city of Port-de-Paix, just 11 miles (18 kilometers) from the quake’s epicenter. “I will make sure the proper state systems are fully mobilized to help the victims,” Moïse tweeted.

In the wake of the earthquake, Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, on Sunday extended condolence to the island nations’ people and Government, and said the United Nations stands ready to help with the response.

“The Secretary-General is saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life and injuries caused by the earthquake in north-west Haiti on 6 October,” said a statement issued by Guterres’ spokesperson. “The United Nations stands ready to support the Government of Haiti in the response efforts,” the statement concluded.

Rescue workers reported the collapse of part of a hospital and an auditorium as the quake hit on a rainy evening.

Prime Minister Jean-Henry Céant said a crisis team has been created to coordinate all emergency responses to Saturday night’s earthquake.

“Damage has been recorded mainly in the Far North. All my sympathies to the victims,” Céant tweeted. “The executive at the highest level is mobilized to provide appropriate answers. I call on the population to be cautious and calm.”

The quake was one of the strongest to hit Haiti since a 7.0-magnitude quake struck near the capital, Port-au-Prince, in 2010, killing thousands of people in the impoverished Caribbean country.

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