Haitians Need Light, Good Energy and Light Pronto

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Haitians are piling bodies along the devastated streets of their capital after a powerful earthquake flattened the president's palace and the main prison, the cathedral, hospitals, schools and thousands of homes. Untold numbers are still trapped.

President Rene Preval says he believes thousands of people are dead even as other officials give much higher estimates — though they were based on the extent of the destruction rather than firm counts of the dead.

His prime minister, Jean-Max Bellerive, tells CNN: "I believe we are well over 100,000," while leading senator Youri Latortue tells The Associated Press that 500,000 could be dead. Both admit they have no way of knowing.

The magnitude-7 quake struck Tuesday afternoon.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haitians are piling bodies along the devastated streets of their capital after a powerful earthquake flattened the president's palace and the main prison, the cathedral, hospitals, schools and thousands of homes. Untold numbers are still trapped.

President Rene Preval says he believes thousands of people are dead. His prime minister, Jean-Max Bellerive, tells CNN: "I believe we are well over 100,000," though he gives no basis for that estimate and says he hopes it isn't true.

Preval told the Miami Herald on Wednesday that: "Parliament has collapsed. The tax office has collapsed. Schools have collapsed. Hospitals have collapsed."

The magnitude-7 quake struck Tuesday afternoon.


Tina Comment by Tina 4 minutes ago
Comment Great Spirit Before you we come humble in the safety of our homes and work places, we lift these people, your people before you and ask for your mercy and power to give them fortitude and strength. We lift their loved ones before you, that you would bring them faith and comfort in knowing that those who transition are with you and that you are ever mindful of each of your own creations....We thank you that we can come before you in faith and in full trust that you are the Great I am....Amen