HAITI: Major earthquake hits Haiti, hundreds feared dead

Record ID: 580702

  • Title: HAITI: Major earthquake hits Haiti, hundreds feared dead
  • Date: 14th January 2010
  • Summary: DAMAGED PRESIDENTIAL PALACE GUARD OUTSIDE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE VARIOUS OF DAMAGED PALACE CROWD OUTSIDE PALACE COLLAPSED BUILDING VARIOUS OF DAMAGED BUILDING BUILDING ON CAR
  • Embargoed: 29th January 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Haiti
  • Country: Haiti
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
  • Reuters ID: LVABA1CGWISFIWZYS9WVG6FIAYK1
  • Story Text: A major earthquake hit impoverished Haiti on Tuesday (January 12), toppling buildings in the capital Port-au-Prince, burying residents in rubble and causing many deaths and injuries.
    The magnitude 7.0 quake, whose epicenter was inland and only 10 miles (16 km) from Port-au-Prince, sent panic-stricken people screaming into the streets as a cloud of dust and smoke from falling buildings rose into the sky.
    As darkness fell amid scenes of chaos and anguished cries from victims, residents desperately tried to dig out survivors or searched for missing relatives in debris-strewn streets.
    The presidential palace was among buildings damaged.
    Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and has a history of destructive natural disasters. Some 9,000 U.N. police and troops are stationed there to maintain order.
    The quake, followed by aftershocks, prompted a tsunami watch for parts of the Caribbean but this was later cancelled.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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