The strongest aftershock to date hit Haiti early this morning (January 20), rattling nerves and sparking fears of renewed damage and casualties one week after the island was devastated by a 7.0 temblor. According to CNN, the 6.1-magnitude aftershock, which struck just after 6 a.m. ET. It was the latest in a series of dozens of aftershocks that have hit since the January 12 quake that destroyed much of the capital and took at least 72,000 lives.
In addition to causing panic and distress among the more than 3 million survivors who have been battling to stay alive in dire conditions amid the rubble of the original earthquake, such a strong aftershock can pose serious danger in an area where damaged buildings are already teetering precariously, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
CNN described a scene in which patients at a hospital near the airport in Port-au-Prince began immediately praying for forgiveness and protection as the ground rocked back and forth.
At least one injury was reported in the moments following the aftershock, which came as desperately needed medical reinforcements approached offshore in the form the USNS Comfort, a state-of-the-art hospital aboard a U.S. naval ship. U.S. helicopters will fly patients to the Comfort for treatment to relieve some of the pressure on overburdened hospitals and clinics. The ship carries nearly 550 doctors, nurse, technicians and support staff, who will be joined by 350 other medical personnel once the ship reaches Haiti.
As of Wednesday, 3 million Haitians were still in need of food, water, shelter and medical assistance, according to a United Nations estimate. More than $220 million has been contributed to major U.S. relief groups to date.
Shakira, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Bruce Springsteen, Wyclef Jean, Bono, and Jay-Z will lead the all-star lineup of performers for Friday night's "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" telethon, sponsored by MTV Networks. More than 100 stars have signed on to help raise funds for the show, which will air commercial-free across ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, the CW, HBO, MTV, VH1, CMT and dozens of other networks on Friday at 8 p.m. ET/PT. (MTVNews)
