08 Oct 2018 | 02:26 PM UTC
Haiti: Aftershocks in the north following October 6 earthquake /update 4
Aftershocks continue to be reported in the north as of October 8, following 5.9 magnitude earthquake that struck October 6
Event
Aftershocks continue to be reported in northern Haiti as of Monday, October 8, following the 5.9 magnitude earthquake that struck off the northwest coast of Haiti on the evening of Saturday, October 6. However, none of the aftershocks have resulted in significant damage. Transportation disruptions are possible in the area in the coming days as recovery efforts continue.
Saturday’s earthquake, the epicenter of which was located approximately 20 km (12 mi) west-northwest of Port-de-Paix (Nord-Ouest department), damaged or destroyed several homes and buildings, notably in Port-de-Paix. No major infrastructural damage has been reported thus far. Government forces, including the military, have been deployed to the worst-hit areas, including Port-de-Paix, Gros-Morne (Artibonite department), and Tortue island.
According to official reports, at least 12 people were killed in Saturday’s earthquake - eight in Port-de-Paix (Nord-Ouest department), one in Saint-Louis-du-Nord (Nord department), and three in Gros-Morne - with at least 188 more suffering injuries.
Context
Earthquakes are relatively common in Haiti, which sits along the
Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault zone. The country is still recovering
from a devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck in 2010.
Advice
Individuals present in the impacted regions are advised to monitor the situation, be prepared for further aftershocks, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.
