Death toll rises to 227 and state of emergency declared following 72 magnitude earthquake in Haiti

At least 227 people have died following a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in western Haiti, officials have said, as the prime minister declared a one-month state of emergency.

The quake struck 8km (five miles) from the town of Petit Trou de Nippes, about 150km (93 miles) west of the capital Port-au-Prince, at a depth of 10km, the US Geological Survey said.

Haiti's Civil Protection service said hundreds are wounded, or have disappeared, in the wake of the earthquake.

Image: Buildings have been reduced to rubble. Pic: AP

People fled their homes fearing they might collapse as churches, hotels and other buildings were reduced to rubble.

The United States Geological Survey issued a red alert for fatalities from the quake and said the disaster is "likely widespread".

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Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry said the quake caused "enormous damage" to southern areas of the Caribbean country.

Some towns have been "completely razed", he said.

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The government is rushing aid to areas where towns were destroyed and hospitals overwhelmed with incoming patients.

Mr Henry said: "The most important thing is to recover as many survivors as possible under the rubble.

"We have learned that the local hospitals, in particular that of Les Cayes, are overwhelmed with wounded, fractured people."

Image: A state of emergency has been declared. Pic: AP

The country has been in a state of political turmoil since July, when President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in his home by a team of gunmen, shaking a country already battling poverty, spiralling gang violence and COVID-19.

The Caribbean country is still recovering from a magnitude 7 earthquake closer to the capital 11 years ago that killed tens of thousands of people and flattened buildings, leaving many homeless.

Among those killed was Gabriel Fortune, a former mayor of Les Cayes. He died along with several others when his hotel collapsed, local media reported.

"In my neighbourhood, I heard people screaming. They were flying outside," said Port-au-Prince resident Sephora Pierre Louis, adding she was still in a state of shock.

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Prime Minister Ariel Henry said he was mobilizing all available government resources to help victims in affected areas

"At least they know to go outside. In 2010, they didn't know what to do. People are still outside in the street."

Naomi Verneus, a 34-year-old resident, said she was jolted awake by the earthquake, and her bed was shaking.

"I woke up and didn't have time to put my shoes on. We lived the 2010 earthquake and all I could do was run. I later remembered my two kids and my mother were still inside.

Image: Map of Haiti showing Saint Louis de Sud and Port au Prince

"My neighbour went in and told them to get out. We ran to the street," Ms Verneus said.

The US president has authorised an immediate response, while a growing number of countries, including Argentina and Chile are preparing to send humanitarian aid.

In a statement, Joe Biden said: "In what is already a challenging time for the people of Haiti, I am saddened by the devastating earthquake that occurred in Saint-Louis du Sud, Haiti this morning.

Image: Many were left homeless after the 2010 quake. File photo.

"We send our deepest condolences to all those who lost a loved one or saw their homes and businesses destroyed."

Tropical Storm Grace is forecast to reach Haiti late Monday night or early Tuesday morning.

The US Tsunami Warning System reported the threat of a tsunami in Haiti has now passed.

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