“Internet is the only way of communicating right now”

The violent earthquake that hit Haiti at 5pm (local time) yesterday turned Port-au-Prince into a disaster zone. Despite the communication blackout which ensued, we managed to reach Carel Pedre, a resident of the capital, by webcam. He describes the panic-stricken city.

It only took a minute to destroy numerous districts of the capital. There's currently no electricity, opportunists have taken to looting, and President René Préval was, at some point, taken for dead. (Haiti's ambassador to Mexico has since confirmed the president is alive and well.)

Reaching contacts there is proving very difficult. Telephone antennae have been toppled, leaving "Internet the only way of communicating", as told to us by local resident Carel Pedre at 3am this morning (local time).

Carel lives close to Pétionville, in the hills above Port-au-Prince. Carel says that there is little means of communication and that he has yet to see a single rescuer. As it's impossible to contact relatives and friends; the level of panic in the area is rising.

Amateur images of the quake and its aftermath

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Comments translated and voiced by FRANCE 24.