A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.2 struck southwestern Haiti on the morning of August 14 at 8:29. Its effects were felt across Haiti and in parts of neighboring countries: Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos Islands and Cuba. The earthquake caused massive economic and human losses in the Haitians departments of Sud, Nippes and Grand’Anse, which were near the epicenter, Petit Trou de Nippes commune. Thousands of houses, hotels, restaurants, and churches collapsed with people inside. Les Cayos, Jérémie, Aquin and Cavaillon are the most affected towns and are almost in ruins. Operations to rescue those trapped under the rubble have been going on continuously since Saturday morning.

According to a recent report by the Haitian Civil Protection Agency issued on August 15, at least 1,297 people were killed and more than 5,700 were injured due to collapse of buildings and other accidents. Of the 1,297 fatalities, 1,054 deaths occurred in the Sud department, 122 in Nippes, 119 in Grand’Anse and two in Nord-Ouest. Preliminary reports on infrastructure damage asserted that the earthquake destroyed 13,694 homes and 13,785 other buildings. The report also noted significant damage to bridges and roads in the affected departments.

According to reports, thousands of people are still missing. Tens of thousands have been displaced from their destroyed or damaged homes. The hospitals in the area have been overwhelmed by injured victims.

The Haitian government declared a state of emergency for a month on August 14 in the evening. At a press conference, interim president Ariel Henry reported that “there are many people under the rubble, especially in hotels and places of worship” and called on the population “not to panic and to fan the feeling of solidarity in the face of this dramatic situation.” Henry assured that the rescue officials will remain deployed and continue to search for the missing people and treat the injured.

While the rescue work is in full swing, the devastation could soon worsen with the passing of the tropical storm Grace through the country. Grace is predicted to reach Haiti tonight. It is likely to cause heavy rain and strong winds for at least one day, which could disrupt the rescue efforts, posing further danger to the lives of those buried under debris and adding to the misery of those without a roof over their head.