7.2 magnitude earthquake strikes Haiti, 304 killed
Port-au-Prince: At least 304 people died and over 1800 injured as 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Haiti Saturday, causing widespread damage and destruction.
The Haitian government has declared a state of emergency after at least 304 people died in a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced in a news conference. More than 1,800 people were injured, the country's civil protection service said.
The death toll stood at 304, according to Jerry Chandler, Haiti’s director of civil protection. . Teams will be sent to the area for search and rescue missions, Chandler told the Associated Press.
USAID is deploying a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to lead the U.S. government’s response efforts.
USAID issued a statement, "This elite team, comprising disaster experts from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, assesses the damage, identifies priority needs, and coordinates with humanitarian partners. The DART is also coordinating with the U.S. Embassy in Haiti, as well as other U.S. agencies in the region".
