Haiti struck by 6.1-magnitude aftershock

A 6.1-magnitude aftershock has hit the stricken island nation of Haiti, still gripped by the effects of a massive 7.0 magnitude quake last week.


Theis latest earthquake struck the island some 60km to the west of the capital Port-au-Prince shortly at 11.03 AM GMT this morning.

The effects of this latest quake are so far unknown.

Disaster relief efforts continue, based at the capital Port-au-Prince.

Some 200,000 people are believed to have perished in the first earthquke that hit a week ago.

The aftershock struck as prime minister Gordon Brown outlined Britain’s planned response in the Commons. He said that immediate action had to be followed by a later assessment of the work.

Creation of a reconstruction agency should be considered by the United Nations, he suggested.

Work by fire and medical services was underway in Haiti, he said, and a British boat would now be sent there to assist with delivery of aid.

Brown said he also discussed with President Obama what further actions Britain could take, and had agreed to help rebuild several Government buildings there.