A man helps to carry a person rescued from the rubble in the aftermath of an earthquake in Les Cayes, Haiti, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Duples Plymouth)
Nearly 230 people were killed after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. Haitian officials made the announcement on Saturday with the confirmed death toll rising by hundreds compared to earlier in the day.
Officials said hundreds more people are either injured or missing and hospitals are reportedly being overburdened with patients. Teams are also being sent to the epicenter of the quake, where search and rescue missions are taking place.
The Haitian government has declared a one-month state of emergency since the incident occurred. Meanwhile, the country reportedly faced a significant aftershock just west of the original epicenter and more are expected in the coming days.
Martine Moise, widow of the former Haitian president, addressed the country stating “my brothers and sisters, we have to put our shoulders together to come together to demonstrate our solidarity. It is our togetherness that makes up our strength and resilience. Courage, I will always be by your side.”
My prayers are with the people of Haiti and other affected territories who were this morning shaken by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake along the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden Fault.
Photo credit: Jose Flécher pic.twitter.com/5usbSdisbT
— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) August 14, 2021
Source: One America News Network
