Photo: Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty
Over 700 people have died after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit southwestern Haiti on Saturday morning.
The death toll jumped from 304 to 724 on Sunday morning, following a briefing from officials, reportedNBC News.
A hospital in the southern city of Jeremie has been overwhelmed with intake since the disaster struck, and they’ve been forced to set up tents in their courtyard for the overflow, according toCNN. “There are a lot of people coming in — a lot of people,” an administrator at Hospital Saint Antoine said. “We don’t have enough supplies.”
TheU.S. Geological Surveywarns that “high casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread.” The American Red Cross told CNN that there have been reports of “significant damage to homes, roads, and infrastructure.”
One of the most impacted areas appears to be the town of Les Cayes, where the search continues for survivors after many buildings collapsed. “I saw bodies being pulled out of the rubble, injured and perhaps dead people,” Les Cayes resident Jean Marie Simon, 38, told Reuters. “I heard cries of pain everywhere I passed through.”
Prime Minister Ariel Henry issued a month-longstate of emergencyand he said he’s rushing aid to the areas most impacted, according to the Associated Press. He added that he will not ask for international aide until the extent of damages is known. Meanwhile, the International Red Cross and hospitals in unaffected areas are lending their support.
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“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,” said Henry. “The needs are enormous. We must take care of the injured and fractured, but also provide food, aid, temporary shelter, and psychological support.”
President Joe Bidenpledged USAID support “to assess the damage and assist efforts to recover and rebuild,” appointing USAID Administrator Samantha Power to coordinate the U.S. aide effort. “The United States remains a close and enduring friend to the people of Haiti, and we will be there in the aftermath of this tragedy,” President Biden wrote in astatement.
“The Haitian Government thanks you and your administration for your continued support and collaboration @POTUS,” the Haitian Embassy in the U.S.respondedto Biden’s message on Twitter.
source: people.com
