Race to find earthquake survivors as floods loom
Haiti mudslide fear over tropical storm
A TROPICAL storm is threatening to unleash flash flooding and mudslides in Haiti as earthquake rescue workers search for survivors.
Already more than 1,300 people have been killed following Saturday’s 7.2-magnitude tremor.
Tropical Depression Grace was last night set to land on the southern coast of Hispaniola, the Caribbean island shared with the Dominican Republic.
Jerry Chandler, head of Haiti’s civil protection agency, said. “I am worried about the upcoming storm as it can complicate the situation for us.”
Government officials fear dozens more people might have died in the tragedy as a further 5,700 were injured.
The quake destroyed 13,694 homes and damaged another 13,785.
Rescuers are still searching flattened buildings for survivors.
The destruction has pushed hospitals to the brink and blocked roads used to carry vital supplies. PM Ariel Henry said: “When it comes to medical needs, this is our biggest urgency.
“We have started to send medications and medical personnel to facilities.
“For the people who need urgent special care, we have evacuated a certain number of them and we will evacuate some more today and tomorrow.”
The quake came as a devastating blow to a country that is still reeling from a presidential assassination last month.
It has also never recovered from deadly tremors more than 11 years ago.
The unsolved murder of President Jovenel Moïse, a leadership battle, severe poverty and gang violence have left officials woefully underprepared for the natural disaster. Many hospitals and clinics were heavily damaged and officials in Les Cayes believe there are only about 30 doctors for one million people.
Dr Edward Destine, who is working out of a temporary operating room near the town’s airport, listed an urgent need for intravenous drips and antibiotics.
He said: “I’m the only surgeon there. I would like to operate on 10 people today but I just don’t have the supplies.”
Herve Foucand, a former senator, used his small plane to take people to Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince.
He said: “I have 30 people in a serious condition waiting for me but I only have seven seats.”
Towns surrounding Les Cayes were
cut off by landslides and are believed to have been harder hit. Aid was promised by the US and other countries as well as the UN and charities.
Over the weekend, gangs that control the motorway linking the south to the rest of Haiti declared a truce, allowing supplies to reach devastated areas.
The earthquake struck at 8.30am, with its epicentre 7.5 miles from Saint-Louisdu-Sud in the south west.
The site was 60 miles west of the 7.0-magnitude disaster in 2010 that killed 220,000 to 300,000 people.
Yesterday, the Queen sent a message of condolence to Mr Henry.
She said: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and destruction caused by the earthquake in Haiti.
“My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost their lives, loved ones and homes, as well as emergency services working in the recovery effort.”