Haiti earthquake: Search for survivors amid devastation

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on Saturday has killed almost 2,000 people and left thousands more injured.

News imageGetty Images Firefighters remove debris in search of survivors in Les Cayes, Haiti on 17 August 2021Getty Images

The south-west of the country appears to have suffered the worst of the damage, especially around the city of Les Cayes.

Rescuers in the city have used building machinery to clear the widespread debris, but the search for survivors has been difficult.

News imageGetty Images A bulldozer clears the rubble of a collapsed building in Brefet, a neighborhood of Les Cayes, Haiti, on 17 August 2021Getty Images
News imageReuters Haitian firefighters search for survivors, under the rubble of a destroyed hotel, in Les CayesReuters

Rescue efforts have been hampered by heavy rains brought this week by Tropical Storm Grace.

News imageReuters People watch an excavator removing rubble from the site of a collapsed hotel in Les Cayes, Haiti, on 16 August 2021Reuters
News imageReuters People drive in a motorcycle past a damaged home in Les Cayes, Haiti, on 17 August 2021Reuters
News imageReuters Haitian firefighters search for survivors under the rubble of a destroyed building in Les Cayes, Haiti, on 17 August 2021Reuters

Tens of thousands of people left homeless by the quake had to decide whether to brave the storm under flimsy tarpaulins, or risk returning to potentially dangerous buildings damaged by the tremor.

The UN says about 500,000 children now have limited or no access to shelter, safe water and food.

News imageAFP People gather after spending the night outside after facing the severe inclement weather of Tropical Storm Grace near Les Cayes, Haiti on 17 August 2021AFP
News imageAFP People watch the clearing of a building that collapsed during the earthquake in Brefet, a neighborhood in Les Cayes, Haiti, on 17 August 2021AFP
News imageAFP An injured woman is treated at a hospital in Les Cayes on 15 August 2021AFP

Haitians stood in line to receive a bag of food as part of the humanitarian aid provided by FAES (Fund for Economic and Social Assistance), seen below.

News imageGetty Images A woman argues with a military guard as Haitians stand in line to receive a bag of food as part of the humanitarian aid provided by FAES (Fund for Economic and Social Assistance) on 16 August 2021 in Les Cayes, HaitiGetty Images

The US Coast Guard were also seen carrying medical supplies to the Ofatma Hospital in Les Cayes.

News imageAFP US Coast Guard carry medical supplies to the Ofatma Hospital in Les Cayes, Haiti, on 17 August 2021AFP

Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who is in power until a fresh presidential election can be held, has declared a month-long state of emergency and urged the population to "show solidarity".

News imageReuters Parts of a motorcycle are seen in the rubble of a destroyed hotel in Les Cayes, Haiti on 16 August 2021Reuters
News imageAFP A bulldozer clears the rubble of a building that collapsed in the earthquake in Brefet, a neighborhood of Les Cayes, Haiti, on 17 August 2021AFP

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