TIMES ONLINE: Thousands of people were feared dead after a powerful earthquake measuring 7.0 rocked the impoverished Caribbean nation of Haiti last night, toppling buildings and causing widespread damage and panic.
The United Nations headquarters was one of scores of buildings that were toppled, including the presidential palace, the World Bank, government buildings and a cathedral. Roads and bridges also lay in ruins after the largest earthquake in 200 years struck just 10 miles (16 km) from the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Communications were widely disrupted, making it impossible to get a clear picture of the damage as violent aftershocks shook the country, where many buildings are flimsy. Electricity was lost in some places.
A thick pall of dust lay over the city as panic stricken residents poured into the streets screaming, with buildings crumbling around them. As night fell, thousands squatted in sports grounds and on the streets, too terrified of aftershocks to return to their homes. >>> | Wednesday. January 13, 2010
