Photos, videos show Haitians scrambling to find survivors of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake as Tropical Depression Grace approaches
- As of Sunday, the death toll in Haiti following the earthquake sits at 1,297.
- Government agencies in the country are working to clear main access roads and collapsed houses.
- Meteorologists forecast that a tropical depression will bring heavy rainfall to Haiti on Monday night.
Following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Aug. 14, Haitians are scrambling to find and rescue any survivors as Tropical Depression Grace approaches. Reuters reported Sunday that the death toll had risen to 1,297, with another 5,700 individuals injured.
Drone footage from CBS shows the aftermath of the early morning earthquake's epicenter, which struck Haiti's southwestern peninsula near Saint-Louis-du-Sud, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Haiti's Ministry of Public Works, Transportation, and Communications is working with the National Equipment Center and the Haitian Armed Forces to clear main access roads and collapsed houses, Prime Minister Ariel Henry said in a thread of tweets asking for additional support. Seriously injured individuals have been evacuated while volunteer doctors work to treat other injuries, according to Henry.
"After my visit to the South, I renew my call for unity, for the solidarity of all Haitians to rebuild our beloved Haiti, which is so badly damaged today," Henry said in a tweet. "I would like to salute the resilience and dignity of the victims, despite their great sadness."
Videos and photos shared on social media show Cuban doctors on the ground treating wounded individuals and people rushing to find survivors in the rubble as Tropical Depression Grace approaches.
Meteorologists forecast that Tropical Depression Grace, which was downgraded from its previous classification as a tropical storm, will bring heavy rain to the Dominican Republic and Haiti as early as Monday night. The heavy rainfall may potentially cause flooding and mudslides, according to the National Hurricane Center.
"Most likely, Grace will remain a depression until it enters into the Gulf [of Mexico] where it could reintensify into a tropical storm, but that is also not a certainty," meteorologist Heather Tesch said.