A woman walks in the rain past earthquake-destroyed homes the day after Tropical Storm Grace swept over Les Cayes, Haiti, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, three days after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit. Photo:AP
The World Daily | News Desk AUGUST 17th 2021
More than 1,400 people died as a result of Saturday's earthquake in Haiti. The tragic balance could increase further as the rubble of collapsed buildings is still being searched. The search operation is hindered by the weather brought by Grace's tropical depression.
"Haiti's earthquake death toll has risen to 1,419," the Haiti Civil Protection Service said on Monday. About 6,900 people are injured.
The previous balance sheet spoke of 1,297 dead.
Saturday's earthquake of magnitude 7.2 destroyed or severely damaged approximately 37,000 homes. The quake was followed by a strong series of aftershocks, the strongest of which had a magnitude of 5.9. The vibrations were also felt in Cuba and Jamaica.
According to the authorities, there may still be many people under the rubble. The search and rescue operation, also carried out by foreign teams, is hindered by Grace's tropical depression passing through Haiti.
Seismologists point out that Saturday's earthquake was stronger and shallower than the catastrophic quake of January 12, 2010, which caused severe damage to the nation's capital, Port-au-Prince, and other cities. Over 220,000 people died then, and over 300,000 were injured.
This time, however, the epicenter was further away from the capital and Saturday's tremors did not cause major damage there.
© The World Daily 2021 | News Desk
Source: Reuters, PAP
