Terrifying moment child pulled from rubble after earthquake kills more than 300

Rebecca Davis
·3-min read

WARNING - DISTRESSING CONTENT: Heart-stopping footage has emerged of a young child and woman being pulled from the rubble of a collapsed building in Haiti after an earthquake killed more than 300 people.

The major earthquake struck eight kilometres from the town of Petit Trou de Nippes and has been felt right across the Caribbean. It was followed by a series of terrifying aftershocks.

Shocking images show the catastrophe and devastation after the 7.2-magnitude quake which hit at 8.30am (local time).

Dramatic footage has emerged of a child being rescued after a major earthquake struck southwestern Haiti, reducing churches, hotels and homes to rubble. Source: Twitter/@CalvinWPLG
Dramatic shows a child being rescued after a major earthquake struck southwestern Haiti, reducing churches, hotels and homes to rubble. Source: Twitter/@CalvinWPLG

At least 304 people have died and hundreds are injured or missing after homes, schools, businesses, churches and hotels crumbled around them.

As the frantic search for survivors continues, local journalist Calvin Hughes has shared incredible footage of a dramatic rescue amid widespread fear and panic.

The video posted to Twitter shows a heroic bystander dragging a distressed and disorientated woman out from under the remains of a collapsed building.

Moments later, he finds a young child and pulls them to safety. The woman is seen embracing the boy in an emotional reunion.

While unconfirmed, there is speculation online the boy is her child.

Dramatic footage has emerged of a child being rescued after a major earthquake struck southwestern Haiti, reducing churches, hotels and homes to rubble. Source: Twitter/@CalvinWPLG
The heart-stopping moment a woman is reunited with her child after they were trapped underneath rubble. Source: Twitter/@CalvinWPLG

Disaster-plagued Caribbean nation still recovering from 2010 quake

The country is still recovering from a magnitude 7 earthquake closer to the capital 11 years ago that killed tens if not hundreds of thousands of people.

In Port-au-Prince, residents still traumatised by the 2010 quake rushed, screaming, into the streets and stayed there as the aftershocks rumbled on.

"Everyone is really afraid. It's been years since such a big earthquake," said Daniel Ross, a resident in the eastern Cuban city of Guantanamo.

A view of a collapsed building following an earthquake, in Les Cayes, Haiti, in this still image taken from a video obtained by Reuters on August 14, 2021. Source: Reuters
Churches, businesses, schools and homes crumbled in the quake that trapped hundreds of victims under rubble. Source: Reuters
People walk along the street next to destroyed buildings following an earthquake in Jeremie, Haiti August 14, 2021. Source: Reuters
Rescue workers are scrambling to find survivors after the powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake, which has killed at least 304 people. Source: Reuters

The earthquake comes just over a month after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise Haiti, who had been ruling by decree, which deepened the country's political turmoil.

Meanwhile, swaths of Haiti are facing growing hunger and healthcare services are overwhelmed by COVID-19. Access by road to the southern region, where the quake struck, has been restricted by gang control of key areas, raising questions over how aid will be delivered.

Haiti is also now in the probable track of Tropical Storm Grace which could bring heavy rains early next week.

With Reuters

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest stories