This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8455629.stm

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Powerful quake off Haitian coast Powerful earthquake rocks Haiti
(20 minutes later)
A powerful, magnitude 7.3 earthquake off the Haitian coast has rocked the capital and sparked a tsunami alert for states in the immediate vicinity. A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Haiti, rocking the capital and sparking a tsunami alert for neighbouring states.
Eyewitnesses in Port-au-Prince told the Associated Press a hospital and other buildings had collapsed and people were calling for help. The tremor hit at 1653 (2153 GMT), about 15km (10m) south-west of Port-au-Prince, the US Geological Survey said.
A visiting US official told the agency the sky was "just grey with dust" and he could hear distant screaming. Haiti's envoy to the US said it was a "catastrophe of major proportions" as reports from the capital spoke of casualties and damage.
The impoverished state has been plagued by natural disasters. A hospital and other buildings are reported to have collapsed.
A visiting US official told AP the sky in the city was "just grey with dust" and he could hear distant screaming.
The low-lying impoverished state has been plagued by natural disasters.
I just hear a tremendous amount of noise and shouting and screaming in the distance Henry Bahn US Department of Agriculture official, visiting HaitiI just hear a tremendous amount of noise and shouting and screaming in the distance Henry Bahn US Department of Agriculture official, visiting Haiti
Tuesday afternoon's earthquake was centred about 15km (10m) south-west of Port-au-Prince, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake was quickly followed by two strong aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude.
It was quickly followed by two strong aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude.
The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was the possibility of a local tsunami that could affect "coasts located usually no more than a 100km [60 miles] from the earthquake epicentre".The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was the possibility of a local tsunami that could affect "coasts located usually no more than a 100km [60 miles] from the earthquake epicentre".
A tsunami watch was in effect for Haiti, the neighbouring Dominican Republic, Cuba and the Bahamas.A tsunami watch was in effect for Haiti, the neighbouring Dominican Republic, Cuba and the Bahamas.
'Rubble and wire''Rubble and wire'
Raymond Joseph, Haiti's ambassador to the US, told CNN: "I think it is really a catastrophe of major proportions."
He said he had just spoken to a government colleague in Port-au-Prince.
An AP cameraman saw the wrecked hospital in Petionville, a hilly suburb of the capital, and Henry Bahn, a visiting official from the US Department of Agriculture, said he had seen houses which had tumbled into a ravine.An AP cameraman saw the wrecked hospital in Petionville, a hilly suburb of the capital, and Henry Bahn, a visiting official from the US Department of Agriculture, said he had seen houses which had tumbled into a ravine.
HAITI 10 million peopleHistory of violence, instability and dictatorshipDemocratic rule restored in 2006Economy in ruins and unemployment is chronicUN peacekeepers deployed - foreign aid seen as vital
"Everybody is just totally, totally freaked out and shaken," said Mr Bahn."Everybody is just totally, totally freaked out and shaken," said Mr Bahn.
He had, he continued, been walking to his hotel room when the ground began to shake.He had, he continued, been walking to his hotel room when the ground began to shake.
"I just held on and bounced across the wall," he said."I just held on and bounced across the wall," he said.
"I just hear a tremendous amount of noise and shouting and screaming in the distance.""I just hear a tremendous amount of noise and shouting and screaming in the distance."
Rocks, he added, were strewn all over the place, and the ravine where several homes had fallen in was "just full of collapsed walls and rubble and barbed wire".Rocks, he added, were strewn all over the place, and the ravine where several homes had fallen in was "just full of collapsed walls and rubble and barbed wire".
Have you been affected by the earthquake? If you have any information you wish to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:Have you been affected by the earthquake? If you have any information you wish to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
You can send pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or if you have a large file you can click here to upload.You can send pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or if you have a large file you can click here to upload.
Click here to see terms and conditionsClick here to see terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions