Haiti earthquake: Twitter offers glimpse of the scene, lifeline of hope
The following is a sampling of tweets and and blog selections from users in Haiti or reported to be in touch with Haiti.
Haiti was devastated by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck 10 miles off its coast early Tuesday evening. The International Red Cross says an estimated 3 million people were affected. The Monitor cannot confirm the authenticity of these posts
–"everybody camping in the streets of port-au-prince sleeping under stars to wake up from an awful nightmare." ---Posted by Twitter user Frederic Dupoux around 2 AM ET.
–"The four story Caribbean Market building is completely demolished. Yes it was open. Yes the National Palace collapsed. Yes Gov’t buildings nearby the Palace collapsed. Yes St Josephs Boys home is completely collapsed. Yes countless countless - countless other houses, churches, hospitals, schools, and businesses have collapsed. There are buildings that suffered almost no damage. Right next door will be a pile of rubble.
Thousands of people are currently trapped. To guess at a number would be like guessing at raindrops in the ocean. Precious lives hang in the balance. When pulled from the rubble there is no place to take them for care Haiti has an almost non existent medical care system for her people."
----Posted today at the Troy Livesay blog, from Port-au-Prince.
–"the hospital in Jacmel also seriously damaged and turning people away" -----Posted by Twitter user Melindayiti around 8 AM ET.
–"Phones are working somewhat in Haiti. Can't get a hold of my family though." -----Posted by Twitter user zabelbok around 8:30 AM ET.
–"We are mobilizing resources and preparing plans to bring medical assistance to areas that have been hardest hit." -----Posted around 1:30 AM by Twitter user PIH_Org, Partners in Health, Boston.
–To see a picture of Haiti's downed presidential palace, check out the Haitifeed blog here.
