227 People Killed After Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake Hits Haiti

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Saturday morning, leaving at least 227 people dead, the country's civil defense agency.

The earthquake's epicenter was 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) northeast of Saint-Louis-du-Sud, with a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles).

The US Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami alert in the region, stating that the waves could rise three meters (9.8 feet). However, it later lifted the alert.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), a 5.2-magnitude aftershock was experienced and more aftershocks are expected in the coming days. Officials said the USGS recorded a total of nine aftershocks since the main earthquake.

"We will make the necessary arrangements to assist people affected by the earthquake in the Southern Peninsula. We must show a lot of solidarity with regard to the emergency. The government will declare a state of emergency. We will act quickly," Prime Minister Ariel Henry said.


One of the world's most deadly earthquakes in the last century had occurred in Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010.


According to official figures, 316,000 people had died and 300,000 were injured in the 7 magnitude earthquake that occurred in the south of the country. Some 1.3 million people were left homeless in the earthquake that caused great destruction. -