PORT-AU-PRINCE/HAVANA (Aug 15): At least 304 people died and hundreds were injured after a major earthquake struck south-western Haiti on Saturday, authorities said, reducing churches, hotels, schools, and homes to rubble in the latest tragedy to hit the impoverished Caribbean nation. In Port-au-Prince, it was strongly felt but did not appear to have caused major damage, according to Reuters witnesses. A further 723 homes, one prison, three health centres, and seven schools had been damaged although there was no major damage to port, airport or telecoms infrastructure. The nearest big town was Les Cayes, where many buildings collapsed or suffered major damage, according to authorities. That region had only recently recovered from Hurricane Matthew, which struck in 2016, killing hundreds and causing widespread devastation.
