The death toll from a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Haiti has risen to 1297 as neighbouring countries rush to send aid and rescuers search for survivors buried beneath the rubble before a tropical storm hits.
People search through the rubble the Manguier Hotel in Les Cayes, south-west Haiti. Photo: AFP
Homes, churches and schools were among buildings flattened in the quake. Some hospitals were left overwhelmed and in need of supplies.
Rescuers are picking through rubble in a desperate search for any survivors.
Haiti's Civil Protection Agency said the toll from the disaster had climbed to 1297 and the hospitals that were still functioning were struggling to cope with some 5700 injured people registered so far.
The disaster compounds problems facing the impoverished nation, which is already reeling from a political crisis following the assassination of its president last month.
The south-west of Haiti appears to have borne the brunt of the damage, especially around the city of Les Cayes.
Footage on social media showed residents desperately trying to pull victims from the ruins of buildings.
"The streets are filled with screaming," Archdeacon Abiade Lozama, head of an Anglican church in Les Cayes, told the New York Times. "People are searching, for loved ones or resources, medical help, water."
The epicentre of Saturday's quake was about 12km from the town of Saint-Louis du Sud, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.
But the tremor could be felt in the densely-populated capital of Port-au-Prince, some 125km away, and in neighbouring countries.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry declared a month-long state of emergency and urged the population to "show solidarity".
"The most important thing is to recover as many survivors as possible under the rubble," he said on Saturday. "We have learned that the local hospitals, in particular that of Les Cayes, are overwhelmed with wounded, fractured people."
The international community has promised to help.
US President Joe Biden said he had authorised an "immediate US response" through USAID. The UN also said it was supporting the rescue effort.
The neighbouring Dominican Republic has offered to send food and medical equipment, with Cuba also reportedly deploying more than 250 doctors.
Jerry Chandler, the head of the Haiti's Civil Protection Agency, said on Saturday that at least 860 homes were known to have been destroyed, with hundreds more damaged.
He warned that Tropical Storm Grace, which is approaching the country, is "likely to make matters worse" in the coming days.
Thousands of people sleeping in the streets would be exposed to the torrential rains amid a rising risk of water-borne diseases, Chandler said.
The Pope offered prayers for the victims during a Sunday address and expressed hope that aid would arrive soon.
Aftershocks were felt after the initial tremor.
A 2010 earthquake in Haiti killed more than 200,000 people and caused extensive damage to the country's infrastructure and economy.
The country's political and economic crisis made more difficult to respond to this earthquake, World Vision Haiti public engagement director Fedorah Pierre told RNZ's First Up.
Pierre said more than 3000 homes were destroyed along with hospitals and roads.
"These hours are very crucial," she said.
"We are mobilising to pre-position kits to respond to the needs of around 6000 people for now. And we're continuing with our advocacy efforts, making sure that the children who are affected - the children who are left without parents and the children in the orphanages as well - they receive the support that is required."
- BBC / RNZ / Reuters
