Thousands feared dead as 7.0 quake hits Haiti

[Whisper]

The Haitian capital has largely been destroyed in the most powerful earthquake to hit the country in more than 200 years.

Journalists from The Associated Press describe severe and widespread casualties after touring the streets of Port-au-Prince.

The damage is staggering even in a country accustomed to tragedy and disaster. AP reporters said the National Palace is a crumbled ruin and tens of thousands of people are homeless.

Many gravely injured people sit in the street, pleading for doctors many hours after the quake. In public squares thousands of people are singing hymns and holding hands.

The 7.0-magnitude quake struck at 4:53 p.m. Tuesday, leaving large numbers of people unaccounted for.

An aid official described "total disaster and chaos."

Communications were widely disrupted, making it impossible to get a clear picture of damage as powerful aftershocks shook a desperately poor country where many buildings are flimsy. Electricity was out in some places.

Karel Zelenka, a Catholic Relief Services representative in Port-au-Prince, told U.S. colleagues before phone service failed that "there must be thousands of people dead," according to a spokeswoman for the aid group Sara Fajardo.

"He reported that it was just total disaster and chaos, that there were clouds of dust surrounding Port-au-Prince," Fajardo said from the group's offices in Maryland.

CONTINUED.... (http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/01/12/haiti-earthquake.html)

[Sugaree]

I hope that the majority of the people are ok. This really worried me for some reason. I'm just glad we're sending some aides down there to help out. Reports say that some 100,000 have died including some figures at the U.N. Embassey were killed.

[mrmcdonaldduck]

man those poor people. I hope that we can help them rebuild and that not too many people die

[Mr. Smithers]

7.0 Earthquake that's no joke. I feel sorry for them.Their houses probably got destroyed and probably lots of people ended up dying.

You never hear of Earthquakes near Haiti or Cuba that's crazy. Sad event.

[OneManArmy]

Haiti was already the poorest country in the America's before it hit, with a corrupting government, famine, unemployment, poverty and hurricanes, and now these guys get killed in hundreds of thousands in a minute. Must be absolutely horrifying for anyone living there. If you people ever feel depressed remember where you could be right now.

[Sugaree]

Damn a 7.0, that doesn't mess around, it's obvious that they weren't prepared in the slightest, since even the presidential palace was completely destroyed. Good to see other countries helping, but it's sad that it takes a major event to actually do something. And Haiti is already the poorest country in the Americas, I have no idea how it'll even get back to it's already poor economy.

Even before the earthquake hit, one in every four person in the country were alreadyin poverty. The economy will obviously be of no help once the aiding process is done. I find it funny however that it took the United States a few days to send help for Katrina victims while it takes less than a day to get help to Haiti.

[The Joker]

Especially because of the angle Haiti was on, it really ruined everything.

[Sugaree]

Especially because of the angle Haiti was on, it really ruined everything.

It's not exactly the angle the country was on, but where Port-au-prince was at. That's not only the nation's capital, but pretty much a harbor town. Not to mention that over half the city was a slum, with buildings already in disrepair, so it's no surprise at some of the damage. I'm starting to see links on sites like Yahoo and even YouTube urging to give money towards relief. I'm going to give, only because this really struck me for some reason. Seeing the footage and pictures, I actually had to cry.

[Doctor Fate]

This seems to be the only thing I'm hearing about - everyone around here is going nuts talking about it. It's even totally overcast any conversation about the upcoming Olympics...

I feel so bad for those poor people. :(

[Whisper]

This is probly one of the bst things thats ever happened to haiti.

That sounds harsh
but the aid and funding they're getting from the international community is insane
the Haitians have allowed the Americans to take over.
All funds are being handled by the various western gov and aid organizations, not whats left of the Haitian gov

Allot of people died.
It was a horrible tragedy
theyre carrying off dump trucks full of bodies and dumping them in mass graves
its utter detestation.

But if its handled right
this can be a complete restructuring and rebuild for the Haitian people
It can be a much needed turning point for their country

[SomeRandomDude]

My prayers are with them.

[Sage]

Planet uses earthquake. It is super effective.