The death toll from the earthquake in Haiti reached 1,300

The death toll rose to at least 1,297 in a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck the United States

Haiti on August 14.

The updated government balance refers to last Sunday (15) and also amounts to more than 5.7 thousand wounded. In addition, the number of deaths is set to increase, as hundreds of people are still missing.

In Les Cayes and other cities in southwest Haiti, many residents spent the night in the street, in front of their homes – many of them damaged – for fear of new earthquakes.

Meanwhile, first responders are working around the clock to find victims and survivors under the rubble left by the earthquake. The quake occurred about 160 km west of the capital, Port-au-Prince, which was already devastated by the 2010 earthquake.

More than 13,600 buildings were destroyed and 13,700 others were damaged, according to the government, which is already predicting the imminent arrival of tropical depression “Grace”, whose passage could hinder the work of rescue teams.

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and was already experiencing an institutional and political crisis due to the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, on July 7, by a leadership made up of Colombian and Haitian-American mercenaries.

The country was taken over by Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who had been appointed by Moyes shortly before his death and who had promised presidential and parliamentary elections on November 7.