Haiti Tragedy unfolds on Twitter

It is now dawn in Caribbean Island nation of Haiti which was struck yesterday by the strongest earthquake there in more than 200 years. At approximately 5.30pm, an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck near the Island’s capital Port Au Prince, followed by multiple aftershocks. Additional aftershocks today remain a possibility.

(Picture: Aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti provided through Twitter by @DefYuri)

Extensive damage and some deaths are reported, but communication with Haiti remains difficult and the full impact of the earthquake is not known. However, images and stories emerging from Haiti through Twitter indicate the extent of the damage. 

It is feared that the death toll could be in the thousands. It is reported that the Presidential Palace has been badly damaged, as have many major hospitals, schools and hotels. 

The headquarters of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti collapsed in the quake. 11 peacekeepers are reported dead and scores of others missing.

Businessman Denis O’Brien, owner of Digicell mobile phone network which operates in Haiti, spoke to RTE’s News at One today about the situation. He explained that the Haitian government are heavily reliant on the United Nations so the destruction of the UN headquarters in Port au Prince will be calamitous for the nation. O’Brien also described living conditions on the Island, explaining how many Haitians live “side by side in shacks.”

Many Irish relief agencies such as Concern and Goal provide humanitarian services to the country and there are fears that as many as 200 Irish volunteers may be in Haiti currently. 

Much of what is known, but unsubstantiated, about the damage is coming from those within Haiti who have access to social media, in particular Twitter (@twitter). 

In the aftermath of the quake, reports of damage and fatalities, images and calls for aid spread across the world in the form of ‘tweets’, short messages of no more than 140 characters. 

The situation in Haiti in less than 140 characters

@ciaralavelle Colleagues in San Juan claim to have felt the earthquake. Closest I've been to one & closest I want to get. #helphaiti

  

@_KiqkZnHeelz There are people trapped in these building and people are screaming #prayforhaiti #helphaiti

RT @fredodupoux Just back from Caribean Market. Looks like ground zero. people trapped it's dark we need light and cell service

(Picture: Man injured in earthquake provided through Twitter by @Trpster)

RT @FutureHaiti: RT @InternetHaiti: Update: last aftershock in Haiti was at 02:23 ET with 4.4 magnitude #Haiti #HaitiQuake #HelpHaiti

@jeremiedetellisWe are all fine! However all the buildings are damaged. Pray for our continued safety

@firesideint I think flying is gonna be out of the question. Airport is shut down tight

@RAMhaiti the Carrefour Feuilles area is destroyed..government buildings:Palace Justice, Palace, DGI are destroyed

@MadBajan To all Haitians, the phone company named Haitel has restored service so u may try 2 contact those with Haitel phones #HelpHaiti #prizmintl

@burstingenergy RT @localfruit "Doctors W/out borders says ALL hospitals in Haiti's Port au Prince area have either collapsed or been abandoned.#helphaiti"

@bibinetallez  i could try to explain in words... but really there are none.. whatsoever

 Picture: Aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti provided through Twitter by @bennybert01