Haiti earthquake: Search for survivors amid devastation

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A 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on Saturday has killed almost 2,000 people and left thousands more injured.

Firefighters remove debris in search of survivors in Les Cayes, Haiti on 17 August 2021Image source, Getty Images

The south-west of the country appears to have suffered the worst of the damage, especially around the city of Les Cayes.

Rescuers in the city have used building machinery to clear the widespread debris, but the search for survivors has been difficult.

A bulldozer clears the rubble of a collapsed building in Brefet, a neighborhood of Les Cayes, Haiti, on 17 August 2021Image source, Getty Images
Haitian firefighters search for survivors, under the rubble of a destroyed hotel, in Les CayesImage source, Reuters

Rescue efforts have been hampered by heavy rains brought this week by Tropical Storm Grace.

People watch an excavator removing rubble from the site of a collapsed hotel in Les Cayes, Haiti, on 16 August 2021Image source, Reuters
People drive in a motorcycle past a damaged home in Les Cayes, Haiti, on 17 August 2021Image source, Reuters
Haitian firefighters search for survivors under the rubble of a destroyed building in Les Cayes, Haiti, on 17 August 2021Image source, Reuters

Tens of thousands of people left homeless by the quake had to decide whether to brave the storm under flimsy tarpaulins, or risk returning to potentially dangerous buildings damaged by the tremor.

The UN says about 500,000 children now have limited or no access to shelter, safe water and food.

People gather after spending the night outside after facing the severe inclement weather of Tropical Storm Grace near Les Cayes, Haiti on 17 August 2021Image source, AFP
People watch the clearing of a building that collapsed during the earthquake in Brefet, a neighborhood in Les Cayes, Haiti, on 17 August 2021Image source, AFP
An injured woman is treated at a hospital in Les Cayes on 15 August 2021Image source, AFP

Haitians stood in line to receive a bag of food as part of the humanitarian aid provided by FAES (Fund for Economic and Social Assistance), seen below.

A woman argues with a military guard as Haitians stand in line to receive a bag of food as part of the humanitarian aid provided by FAES (Fund for Economic and Social Assistance) on 16 August 2021 in Les Cayes, HaitiImage source, Getty Images

The US Coast Guard were also seen carrying medical supplies to the Ofatma Hospital in Les Cayes.

US Coast Guard carry medical supplies to the Ofatma Hospital in Les Cayes, Haiti, on 17 August 2021Image source, AFP

Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who is in power until a fresh presidential election can be held, has declared a month-long state of emergency and urged the population to "show solidarity".

Parts of a motorcycle are seen in the rubble of a destroyed hotel in Les Cayes, Haiti on 16 August 2021Image source, Reuters
A bulldozer clears the rubble of a building that collapsed in the earthquake in Brefet, a neighborhood of Les Cayes, Haiti, on 17 August 2021Image source, AFP

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