Haiti Experiences Renewed Quake Aftershocks

As search and rescue missions continue in Haiti, the country is hit by aftershocks eight days after the earthquake that shattered the country. Photo by BGNES

Aftershocks of magnitude 6.1 on the Richter scale have been registered in Haiti on Wednesday, eight days after the devastating earthquake struck on January 12.

The Geophysical Institute of the United States have announced that the tremors were felt at 11.03 pm GMT. The epicenter was 56 km northwest of the Haitian capital, Port au Prince.

The earthquake has caused panic, and led many people to evacuate buildings to escape outside. As yet, there are no reports of additional casualties and damage.

International rescue teams have managed to pull 121 people from the rubble in port au Prince in a race to find survivors.

Despite criticism of the organization of relief efforts, and logistical problems causing delays in delivery, the US military has defended its handling of the rescue operation.

A full week after the disaster, hundreds of thousands are still without food and water. Angry crowds have resorted to looting shops, banks and other premises, taking whatever they can find.

Haitian officials have said the death toll from the quake was likely to be between 100 000 and 200 000, that 75 000 bodies had already been buried in mass graves, and an estimated 1,5 million were now homeless.

 

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!