Death Toll Rises In Devastating Earthquake In Haiti: Reuters Confirms 1297 Deaths

At least 1297 people died and hundreds were injured after a major earthquake struck southwestern Haiti on Saturday the authorities said.

The earthquake has reduced churches, hotels, schools and homes to rubble in the latest tragedy to hit the impoverished Caribbean nation.

The 7.2-magnitude quake, which was followed by a series of aftershocks, struck 8 km (5 miles) from the town of Petit Trou de Nippes, about 150 km west of the capital Port-au-Prince, at a depth of 10 km, the United States Geological Survey said.

This one which has occurred around 8:30 a.m. local time - hit farther away from the capital, however. In Port-au-Prince.

It was strongly felt but did not appear to have caused major damage, according to Reuters witnesses.

According to Reuters the death toll from the devastating earthquake in Haiti has risen to 1,297.