Update: 1,297+ Reported Dead After 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Haiti August 14

UPDATE: As of today (Aug. 17), the death toll in Haiti has climbed to 1,297 people as the search continues for survivors. Rescue workers continue to search feverishly as the Caribbean nation braces for a quickly approaching tropical storm.

A major 7.2 magnitude earthquake has struck the western side of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. Haiti is still recovering from a 2010 catastrophic earthquake that killed 250,000 and left more than 3 million people impacted by the fallout.

Seismologists said the epicenter of the quake was 78 miles west of the capital of Port-au-Prince (Saint-Louis du Sud) and the effects were felt as far away as 200 miles in Jamaica.

Multiple news outlets are reporting more than 1200 people are dead and some like the BBC are expecting that number to climb as search and recovery efforts continue.

Check out a report by CBSN News correspondent Vladimir Duthiers, who is Haitian-American, and has reported extensively from Haiti:

A little more than one month ago, Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise was assassinated at his home, leaving the country reeling. On July 20, 2021, Ariel Henry was appointed prime minister of Haiti. Henry said there is “extensive damage” and has declared a state of emergency through the end of the month. Elections for the new president will be held next month.

This story is developing.

This news brief was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., NNPA Newswire Culture and Entertainment Editor. Reprint permission granted by NNPA.