Haiti Earthquake 2021: Massive 7.2 magnitude tremblor kills hundreds

Haiti Earthquake (Video Screengrab)

On a sunny Saturday morning, Haiti was jolted awake into scenes of pure horror.  A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the south of the country at about 8:30 local time in the morning in Haiti on Saturday (Aug. 14).

The epicenter was about 160 kilometers west of the capital Port-Au-Prince.  The U.S geological survey has issued a red alert for the likelihood of high fatalities and widespread disaster for the Caribbean country.  

At least nine aftershocks rocking the island in the hour since the quake, collapsing a cathedral steeple in the city of Jeremy.

People running into the streets out of fear their homes could collapse.  Hospitals overwhelmed with the injured people being treated outside.   More than 200 already confirmed dead and hundreds were injured and missing.

Widespread damage was reported.  Footage shared on social medial showed some of the immediate aftermath.  The quake turned many buildings to rubble.  

A Church feeling the brunt of the earthquake (Video Screengrab)

The disaster plagued nation is still recovering from the 7.0 earthquake in 2010.  That less powerful earthquake devastated Haiti killing about 200,000 people and leaving tens of thousands living in tent cities for more than a year.

The earthquake was about 12 kilometers from Saint-Louis du Sud along the same fault line as a magnitude 7 earthquake in 2010. 

This earthquake is larger than that earthquake in 2010.   It's about two times more energetic than that magnitude 7 earthquake. The impacts on both human life and infrastructure in Haiti are likely to be very devastating. 

Acting prime minister Ariel Henry declared a state of emergency for a one-month period.

This natural disaster comes on the heels of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, residents were hoping for peace and political stability, now politics is set aside as people are simply afraid to go back into their houses. 

And tonight a new threat looming as Tropical Storm Grace racing toward the island of Hispaniola, will make heavy rains likely in Haiti, potentially hindering rescue efforts.