Many feared dead as strong earthquake hits Haiti

A major earthquake has struck the Caribben nation of Haiti.

According to the US Geological Survey, USGS, the 7.2-magnitude quake hit the west of the country, with its epicentre about 8km from the town of Petit Trou de Nippes.

Officials told reporters there had been fatalities. Haiti is still recovering from a devastating 2010 earthquake.

The USGS said Saturday’s quake was recorded at a depth of about 10km. Its epicentre was some 150km from the densely populated capital of Port-au-Prince.

Haiti’s director of civil protection, Jerry Chandler said,“I can confirm that there are deaths, but I don’t yet have an exact toll. We’re still collecting information.”

Images shared on social media showed homes and part of a church reduced to rubble.

A 34-year-old resident of the capital Port-au-Prince, Naomi Verneus, said she was woken up by the earthquake and that her bed was shaking.

“I woke up and didn’t have time to put my shoes on. We lived the 2010 earthquake and all I could do was run. I later remembered my two kids and my mother were still inside. My neighbour went in and told them to get out. We ran to the street,” she said.

The 2010 earthquake in Haiti killed more than 200,000 people and caused extensive damage to infrastructure and the economy.

BBC/Confidence Okwuchi