UPDATED: Huge Earthquake Rocks Haiti

PHOTO: THE DAMAGED NATIONAL PALACE. IMAGE CREDIT: REUTERS.

* Prison Destroyed, Inmates Escape.

* Airport Now Open.

* The Head Of Un Mission, Hedi Annabi killed.

* The Catholic Arch Bishop Of Port au Prince, Msgr. Joseph Miot, aged 63, Killed.

* UN To Release $10 Million Dollars in Aid Immediately.

* More Than 100,000 Dead.

* Obama Promises Full US Assistance, Deploys Aid, Rescue Teams to Haiti.

* Most of Port-au-Prince Destroyed

* 80 percent of Haitians Are Roman Catholic.

* There Have Been 28 After Shocks measuring About 5.9 So Far.

*Population Is 95 percent Black.

* Thousands Stuck Under Debris.

* No heavy Earth Moving Equipments.

* Airport Is Closed.

* Thousands Feared Dead.

* French is Official language.

* Recording Artiste Wyclef Jean is from Haiti.

* Its Night Time Now In Haiti.

* Red Cross Ready To Move In.

* Witnesses tell CNN that Dead Bodies Are On The Streets. 

San Francisco Jan 12, (THEWILL) – A 7.0 earthquake has rocked Haiti, a country in Latin America. The earthquake is reported to be the strongest in 200 years, bringing down a hospital, damaging the National Palace, United Nations peacekeepers headquarters and many other buildings in the southern part of the country.

Haiti is rated as one of the poorest countries in the world. It’s ambassador to the US, Raymond Alcide Joseph has described the quake as a catastrophe.

He told CNN that: “The only thing I can do is pray and hope for the best.” The United Nations said a large number of its personnel are still unaccounted for.

The US Department of State has been told that to expect “serious loss of life,” according to spokesman P.J. Crowly.

The US Geological Survey said the quake struck just before 5.p.m. ET and was centered about 15 kilometers southwest of capital city, Port-au-Prince.

Eyewitnesses told CNN that people were crying and that some others have been pulling bricks from collapsed buildings trying to rescue loved ones.

A huge rescue and humanitarian effort is being put together by the United States government to assist the victims and country.

Secretary of State Hilary Clinton told reporters in DC that the US would offer full assistance.

The CIA World Factbook says 80 percent of Haitians live under the poverty line.

Haiti's polulation is about 9 million and its about two hours drive from the State of Florida.

The AP is reporting that two Americans are trapped in the rubbles.

We will keep updating our report as more information become available.