Haiti’s Massive Earthquake Brings Death Toll to Near 1,300

Over 1,200 people have died as a result of Saturday’s massive earthquake in Haiti. However, many fear that the actual death toll will be much higher as rescue crews dig through the rubble of countless flattened buildings.

There were 1,297 confirmed dead and 5,700 injured as of Sunday night. Schools, hospitals, churches, and prisons were all damaged by the 7.2-magnitude quake. We’ve lost tens of thousands of homes. With recovery efforts underway, Tropical Depression Grace threatens to bring heavy rains and mudslides to the island nation by tonight.

A total of 1,054 deaths have been reported in Haiti’s southern region, including 122 in Nippes, 119 in Grand’Anse, and two in the country’s northern region.

The U.S. has sent a 65-person urban search and rescue team to Haiti at the request of the Haitian government, according to USAID Administrator Samantha Power. A U.S. quake disaster response team is already on the ground, and this new team will join them. Humanitarian aid is also being prepared for Haiti by several countries in Latin America.

In an interview, Ambassador Bocchit Edmond told ABC’s Good Morning America that authorities are still trying to figure out just how bad the damage is. People who have been injured or displaced are the top priority.

Edmond worries about weather conditions complicating relief operations. In Haiti on Monday, tropical depression Grace could bring heavy rains and flooding, possibly triggering mudslides as it makes its way through the Caribbean. “Many areas will see 4 to 8 inches of rain,” according to the National Hurricane Center, with isolated spots of 15 inches of rain in the south of the country.

He said, “Hopefully, Grace will be graceful enough to spare us.”