Magnitude 7.0 earthquake strikes Haiti
Posted Jan 13, 2010 04:29:31 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Thousands are feared dead following yesterday’s catastrophic earthquake in Haiti.
A magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck just outside Port-au-Prince just before 5 p.m. Eastern time, toppling everything from simple shacks to the ornate National Palace.
The headquarters of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti also collapsed and a large number of UN personnel are missing. Five Canadians attached to that mission were unharmed.
Around three dozen South Bruce Peninsula residents are in Haiti, doing volunteer work through their church in Sauble Beach.
Among them is the mayor: Gwen Gilbert.
She’s helping out at The Mission of Hope orphanage.
Councillor and alternate to the mayor, Art King tells 570 News after the initial quake struck they learned through the church all of their members are safe.
He says he’s relieved to learn they are okay, considering they are located only about 25 kilometres away from the quake’s epicentre.
He says the mayor is expected back January 20, but that could change – their help may be needed there to assist in the aftermath.
Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon says Canada’s thoughts are with the people of Haiti, adding Ottawa is working closely with local authorities.
He says Canadians with interests in Haiti and who want to get information can call 1-800-387-3124.
To donate to relief efforts in Haiti visit the websites for either The Red Cross or Mennonite Central Committee.
