Haiti quake death toll hits 1,419

A child plays with a deserted tire in front of a collapsed house after an earthquake, in Les Cayes, Haiti, on Aug. 16, 2021. The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck southwestern Haiti on Saturday climbed to 1,419, authorities announced on Monday. The 7.2-magnitude quake also left at least 6,900 people injured and destroyed over 37,000 homes, according to the country's civil protection agency. (Xinhua/David de la Paz)

LES CAYES, Haiti, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck southwestern Haiti on Saturday climbed to 1,419, authorities announced on Monday.

The 7.2-magnitude quake also left at least 6,900 people injured and destroyed over 37,000 homes, according to the country's civil protection agency.

The agency said on Twitter it continues to airlift seriously injured Haitians by helicopter from quake-hit areas so they can receive better care.

According to the agency, most of the fatalities have been registered in the department of the South (1,133), whose capital is Les Cayes.

At a press conference, the director of civil protection agency, Jerry Chandler, underscored the international support Haiti is receiving.

"We continue to work with our friends from the international community. Many of them have offered to come in our support," Chandler said.