Magnitude 7.2 earthquake strikes Haiti, tsunami warning issued The most important news and analysis in Latin America | DW

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Saturday morning (8/14/2021), at around 8:30 a.m. (1:30 p.m. CET), according to the US Geological Survey, which also issued a tsunami warning and warned that one may occur. . It is “likely” that the earthquake will cause a “large number of casualties.”

The earthquake was recorded in the south of the country, and it was at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the US authorities.

Similarly, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, in English), which monitors the emergence of potential tsunamis around the world, warned of the “threat” of the massive waves for about an hour after the strong earthquake was recorded.

“Tsunami waves that can reach one or three meters above tide level are possible on some coasts of Haiti,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said.

The long earthquake was felt by residents throughout the country, and material damage has already been recorded in several cities, according to eyewitness photos posted on social media, and religious buildings, schools and homes were damaged by the earthquake, according to residents of the affected area.

“dramatic” mode

The Caribbean nation’s prime minister, Ariel Henry, said the situation in Haiti after Saturday’s strong earthquake is “tragic”.

In a Twitter message, Henry called for the “soul of solidarity and commitment of all Haitians” to confront “this tragic situation we are currently in” due to the 7.2-magnitude earthquake, which struck northeast of Saint-Louis-de-Sud in the south. This caused many deaths and material damage, according to local media.

Reporting of the injured

On the sidelines, a number of people were injured by the earthquake, which damaged infrastructure in several locations, according to local media reports.

Authorities have yet to provide official information, but the media reported significant damage in the southern towns of Saint-Louis-de-Sud, Les Quais and Jeremy.

Li Kai Hospital received a large number of casualties, according to reports.

Haiti was affected in January 2010 by a 7-magnitude earthquake, which left 300,000 dead, the same number of injured and 1.5 million affected.

ee (efe/afp)