Haiti in Chaos, Death Toll Rises After 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake (Comprehensive)

304 Confirmed Dead, Over 1,800 Injured... State of Emergency Declared
To Make Matters Worse, Tropical Storm Expected to Pass Through Haiti on 16-17

[Asia Economy International Desk Reporter] A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the Caribbean island nation of Haiti on the 14th (local time), resulting in hundreds of deaths. With many injured and missing, the death toll is expected to rise further. Haiti also experienced a magnitude 7.1 earthquake 11 years ago in 2010, which caused hundreds of thousands of casualties.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at around 8:29 a.m. near Petit Trou de Nippes, Haiti, about 13.5 km southeast of the epicenter.

The capital, Port-au-Prince, is located 125 km west of the epicenter, and the quake's depth was only 10 km. There were about ten aftershocks ranging from magnitude 4 to 5, and a tsunami warning was issued at one point. The earthquake was also felt in neighboring countries such as the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Cuba.

Haitian authorities have reported at least 304 deaths so far due to the earthquake. More than 1,800 injuries have been confirmed, raising concerns that the death toll will increase. The authorities have dispatched response teams to the affected areas to search for survivors and conduct rescue operations, but landslides and road blockages are hampering access.

Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry declared a one-month state of emergency. Prime Minister Henry stated that the earthquake "caused numerous casualties and material damage in several regions" and pledged to "mobilize all government resources to assist the victims."

USGS said immediately after the quake, "The damage from this disaster is likely widespread," estimating that the economic damage could range from 0 to 3% of Haiti’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Reports of the terrifying moments during the earthquake are emerging through foreign media and social media. Avyad Rozama, Auxiliary Bishop of L?og?ne, told the New York Times (NYT), "The streets were filled with screams," adding, "People are searching for their loved ones or pleading for emergency medical care and drinking water."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Telephone communications were cut off in Petit Trou de Nippes, and scenes of collapsed churches and houses were captured in J?r?mie.

No Korean casualties have been reported yet. Approximately 150 Koreans, including company employees, missionaries, and residents, live in Haiti, mostly in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Residents of Port-au-Prince and other areas, still haunted by the nightmare of the magnitude 7.0 earthquake in 2010 that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, were greatly alarmed and evacuated due to the earthquake that struck again after 11 years.

This earthquake occurred while the damage from the 2010 Haiti earthquake had not been fully recovered. The 2010 quake, which struck 25 km west of Port-au-Prince at a depth of 13 km with a magnitude of 7.0, is estimated to have killed between 160,000 and up to 300,000 people. However, while the 2010 earthquake occurred near the densely populated area of Port-au-Prince, the epicenter of this recent quake is in a relatively less populated area.

With the fear of aftershocks still lingering, Tropical Storm Grace is moving toward Haiti, raising concerns about additional damage. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), Grace is expected to pass through Haiti between the night of the 16th and the 17th.

Following the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Mo?se on the 7th of last month, this new crisis is expected to exacerbate social unrest in the already chaotic country.

Meanwhile, the White House announced that U.S. President Joe Biden has approved immediate U.S. response to the earthquake in Haiti. The governments of the Dominican Republic, Chile, and Argentina have also expressed their willingness to provide support.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.