Powerful earthquake strikes western Haiti

BREAKING

Magnitude 7 earthquake strikes western Haiti and tsunami alert issued, US Geological Survey says.

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake has struck western Haiti and a tsunami alert has been issued, the US Geological Survey said, with some damage already reported.

The quake on Saturday struck 8km (5 miles) from the town of Petit Trou de Nippes, at a depth of 10km, the USGS said. The epicentre was about 160km (100 miles) by road from central Port-au-Prince, the densely populated capital.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) also reported a quake in the region, saying it was magnitude 7.6.

The US Tsunami Warning System had initially said there was no tsunami warning after the quake.

The long shock was felt throughout the country and material damage was recorded in the southwestern peninsula of the island, according to images from witnesses.

The country is still recovering from a magnitude 7 earthquake closer to the capital 11 years ago that killed tens if not hundreds of thousands of people and flattened swathes of buildings, leaving many homeless.

More to follow.

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