Earthquake in Haiti killed 1,300 people

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake devastated several towns and villages in southwestern Haiti. According to updated data, 1297 people became its victims. The search for people under the rubble continues.

Hospitals are overwhelmed with wounded. In the city of Jeremy, there are so many victims that the injured had to be accommodated in the courtyard of St. Anthony's hospital in hastily deployed tents.

“The most urgent issue now is medical support. We began to send medicines and personnel to institutions affected by the earthquake, ”the BBC quotes the words of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henri.

The evacuation of seriously injured citizens from the devastated areas continues.

Earlier it was reported that the earthquake in Haiti occurred on August 14. Its epicenter was located about 8 km from the city of Petit Trou de Nipps. The tremors were felt even 125 km from the epicenter - in the densely populated capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, and even in neighboring countries. Repeated tremors with a magnitude of up to 5.8 points were also noted on August 15.

In connection with a natural disaster, the country has declared a state of emergency for 30 days. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Grace is approaching Haiti. Meteorologists warn that heavy showers with floods and landslides may take place in the country on August 16-17.

Observers fear that thugs who have been controlling the main road from Port-au-Prince since early June, blocking the road, could interfere with the disaster relief. The authorities intend to use the army to fight the bandits hindering the reconstruction of the country and helping the wounded. Earlier it was reported that during the armed conflict in Haiti, the country's president was shot dead.

The assassination attempt on Haitian President Jovenel Moise took place on 7 July. A group of heavily armed raiders broke into the residence of the head of state, captured Moiz and tortured him. Then the president was shot. The first lady was also injured and was hospitalized in critical condition.

After the assassination of the president, the country's authorities detained about 20 Colombian citizens and several US citizens.

The most destructive earthquake in the history of the country happened in 2010. Over 200 thousand people became its victims.